Caddie-turned-pro Shamim Khan turned in a flawless five-under 67 to emerge as the unexpected leader along with Argentine Daniel Vancsik after the opening round of the USD  2.5 million Johnnie Walker Classic here on Thursday.

Khan and Vancsik led the field by a stroke at the DLF Golf and Country Club here. “I played very well and my putting was very good. I am really happy that I am at the top of the leaderboard in a star-studded field. I can’t explain it in words,” said the shy 30-year-old.

“SSP is an old friend of mine. I have been inspired by his victory. It has set the tone for us to do well in the international events that come to India,” he added. A 10th tee starter, Khan’s exploits were the talking point on a day when Jeev Milkha Singh was left ruing his aggression on the last couple of holes.

At six-under until the 15th hole, Jeev looked well on course for a finish atop the leaderboard but a wild drive on the 16th tee off started a slide that saw him end tied third at four-under. The Chandigarh-pro had slotted six birdies before hitting the rough patch from the 16th hole onwards.

Wild drive

A missed putt that resulted a bogey on the 16th was followed by what can easily be described a wild drive that ended up hitting the cart path and going over the green which resulted in another dropped shot.

“These greens are tough as they have a lot of grain. On 17th I was aggressive I thought could drive the green and went for it but got a bad break,” Jeev said after his round.

The par-five last hole ws his hance to make amends and be among the leaders but Jeev could only manage a par and the seasoned campaigner couldn’t hide the disappointment. “Had only 190 yards to hole but hit it to the bunker and hit a bad bunker shot and missed that too,” he said.

“But that’s okay, there are three more days (to go). I am happy with the first round... looking forward to the next three days,” he added.

Battling cold

Rahil Gangjee was the other Indian at the tied third spot after sinking in five birdies against a lone bogey. Further down, Shiv Kapur, battling cold and fever, was tied for the 14th spot turning in a 69 that comprised five birdies and two bogeys.

“I seriuosly thought of pulling out. I got up this morning and didn’t have any energy. I couldn’t keep my head up and my nose was running. But sometimes it’s better that way,” he joked.

Kapur shares his position with, among others, Arjun Atwal and  Arjun Singh. Atwal, who is breathing easy after being cleared of speed driving charges in a car crash last year, felt the unrelenting wind made the task tougher for golfers on what was essentially an easy course to negotiate.

“I thought the wind was coming through the left and the ball, it was going out of bounds,” he said. A stroke adrift were Jyoti Randhawa and Gaurav Ghei at the tied 24th spot.

Randhawa’s 70 included three birdies and a bogey, while Ghei struck three birdies, an eagle against a double-bogey that was the only only blot in his round.

Chowrasia returned a rollercoaster 72 that comprised three birdies against an equal number of bogeys to share the 48th position.

Defending champions Anton Haig of South Africa managed to finish sub-par with a last hole birdie that saw him end one-under 71, tied for 35th.

Scores after Round 1: 67: Shamim Khan (Ind), Daniel Vancsik (Arg); 68: Rahil Gangjee (Ind), Unho Park (Aus), Jason Knutzon (US), Paul Sheehan (Aus), Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Taichiro Kiyota (Jpn), Greg Chalmers (Aus), James Kamte (RSA), Robert-Jan Derksen (Ned), Mark Foster (Eng).