NEW DELHI, INDIA – MARCH 08: Emiliano Grillo of Argentina tees off on the 16th hole during day one of the Hero Indian Open at Dlf Golf and Country Club on March 8, 2018 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Grillo carded an opening 7-under 65 to equal the course record set by Malaysia’s Gavin Green last year and also clinch the clubhouse lead at the US$ 1.75 million tournament.
The one-time PGA Tour winner racked up seven birdies in his fabulous round to lead by two shots. Paul Peterson of the United States submitted a card of 67 for a share of second place along with Italy’s Matteo Manassero and Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal.
“I almost had to play perfect golf out there. It’s a very difficult golf course. I’m very happy with the way I handled myself out there. It was very tough and I was able to make some good putts and hit the fairways when I needed to,” Grillo told reporters.
“I had, I think, 26 putts and that helps anyone’s round out there. Hopefully I can keep rolling them in. I’ve just got to keep the ball in play, that’s what matters around here.
“The par save on 15th was a rollercoaster. Then, on 16th, I got a little bit unlucky and hit the rocks on the bunker and it went pretty far on a bad lie. But I was able to make the putt coming back in there. It was very important to close with a birdie because I was playing very well going into the last hole. Just got to keep going.
“You have no idea how difficult the course is. I shot 7-under-par, but I think anywhere else it would have been close to a 59. It was definitely a magnificent round of golf. Every tee shot, every second shot, you don’t want to miss it in the wrong place.”
Peterson, who won his first Asian Tour title in Myanmar this year, had a near flawless round, carding six birdies against a lone bogey.
2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Green overcame jet lag to sign for a 69 and a share of ninth place.
Eight other players share ninth place, including Asian Tour players Nicholas Fung of Malaysia and Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand.
Play was suspended due to darkness with 24 players scheduled to return on Friday morning, 7am, to complete Round 1.
A total of 39 Indians, including 35 pros, are playing in the 144-man field.