- Avantha Masters, Day One
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Brits in hot pursuit of leader Siem at Avantha
ESPN staff
February 11, 2010
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Darren Clarke carded a one-under 71
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Marcel Siem shot an eight-under 64 to take the lead on day one at the Avantha Masters. The German world No. 247 carded a bogey-free round that featured an eagle at the par five ninth.
Yih-Shin Chan, who also eagled the ninth, is one shot off Siem after he bogeyed the 16th for his only dropped shot of the round in New Delhi.
England's John Parry and Barry Lane entered the clubhouse tied for third with five others at five-under. His countryman Richard Bland is four-under alongside world No. 161 David Drysdale of Scotland.
Upon completion, Siem declared the round one of his finest. "I cannot remember the last time that I shot 64," he said. "It must be at least three years, so I am pretty happy with that. It's definitely my best round for a few years."
Siem feels the conditions played into his hands and revealed he was given a helping hand by a local teenager.
"They (the greens) are a bit grainy which can be difficult for the Europeans to adapt to sometimes, but I got a pretty good lesson from Vani Kapoor yesterday," said Siem. "She is a young 16 year old scratch player, probably the best young female player in India and she was so aggressive on the greens and she showed me the way. I have to say that she was my putting inspiration and she is a very good player."
Parry, meanwhile, insisted that his score was a fair reflection on his performance. "It was pretty solid out there today but nothing spectacular," he said Parry. "It's a decent start and I am pleased with how I am playing. I probably got a little bit lucky at points out there today but nothing outrageous - it was a pretty fair score."
Darren Clarke showed steady form to finish one-under, although he will not have fond memories of a bogey six on the 14th. The two highest-ranked players at the tournament, Jeev Milkha Singh and Shane Lowry, did not live up to their lofty stature. The home favourite was par for the course and Lowry shot a 71.
Scotland's Richie Ramsay - tenth in the Race to Dubai, making him the best-placed of the Avantha competitiors - completed in one-under despite bogeys on the final two holes. Oliver Fisher carded a competitive two-under, whilst Keith Horne - 12th in the Race to Dubai - fared one stroke worse.
© ESPN EMEA Ltd
