No opening blues for Ghei: Tied 6th in Seoul

Seoul, May 24 (UNI) In-form golfer Gaurav Ghei began from where he left at last week's Macau Open, carding an impressive five-under 67 to be tied sixth after the opening round of the 6,00,000-dollar SK Telecom Open here today.

Ghei, who won the Pine Valley Beijing Open last month is enjoying the rich vein of form, reeling off five birdies.

''The conditions were not too tough and I'll keep up my game as usual. The greens are quite tricky but overall, I'm enjoying the set up here,'' said Ghei.

Compatriot Amandeep Johl also put up a strong show, finishing a creditable tied 25th with a two-under 70 while Kolkata talent SSP Chowrasia and Raihl Gangjee were one stroke further behind with identical one-under 71s to end up tied 44th.

Thai newcomer Panuwat Muenlek posted a steady 66 in joint fourth spot alongside Korea's Kang Sung-hoon.

India's Ghei, who is currently ranked sixth on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, Australia's Unho Park, and Yasin Ali of England were all three strokes behind leader Bae Sang-moon, together with Korea's Choi Sang-ho, Kim Wi-joong, Jung Ji-ho and Joo Hewng-chul.

Local hero Bae Sang-moon made the most of familiar conditions to blast an eight-under-par 64 to enjoy the early lead.

The 20-year-old Korean enjoyed a bogey free round that included eight birdies as he took a one stroke lead over compatriot Kim Hyung-tae and Jun Tae-hyun in tied second place at the BA Vista Country Club.

Meanwhile, world number 29, Australia's Aaron Baddeley shot a 71 to be at tied 35th position.

UNI