Indian veteran Rahil Gangee ground out a one shot lead in the first round of the PKNS Selangor Masters, with seven birdies and three bogeys in his four-under-par score illustrating the challenging nature of the Kelab Seri Selangor course.

He leads by one shot in the rain-delayed tournament, heading local favourite Amir Nazrin who posted three birdies to claim second spot. He was joined by Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong who finished late in the day.

“I’m feeling very tired right now,” said Gangee after his round, “It’s hot out here, it’s sweaty, but I’m happy.

“I haven’t been playing much, “ he said. “I had an injury on my intercostal muscle and had to just sit around for a month and a bit. When I got back to it, there was no speed, no strength and last week was a struggle for me just to walk around. This week seems a little bit better, speed’s come back” he added.

“I’ve played this golf course before and there are good memories,” he explained. “I know where to miss it and what the putts do, so all in all, a good day.”

Malaysia’s Syahiran Syakir pictured in action at the PKNS Selangor Masters. The US$175,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at Kelab Seri Selangor from June 19-23, 2024. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

Play was suspended due to adverse weather at 3.57 pm, and the wait for the greens to dry sufficiently on holes 13 and 18 meant play was unable to resume until 5.30pm at the US$175,000 Asian Development Tour event.

In fourth place in the clubhouse were Malaysia’s Syahiran Syakir, Marcus Lim and Casper Loh, Dodge Kemmer and Michael Herrera of the USA and Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat on two under par.

Still on course at close of play with the same score was Australia’s Jared Edwards, who had two holes to go when play was suspended at 7.29pm due to bad light. Play will resume at 7.30am tomorrow.

In 11th place, on one under par and finished for the day, were Thailand’s Witchayapat Sinsrang and Sangchai Kaewcharoen, Daeng Rahman of Malaysia and Singapore’s James Leow.

Looking to complete their rounds in the morning and currently on one under par were Order of Merit leader Ahmad Baig of Pakistan, who won last week’s event in Vietnam, Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin, winner here in 2022, and Thailand’s Danthai Boonma, Amarin Kraivixien and Tanapat Pichaikool.

Main pic: India’s Rahil Gangee pictured in action at the PKNS Selangor Masters. The US$175,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at Kelab Seri Selangor from June 19-23, 2024. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.