Golf: Strong start for Purser

New Zealand golfer Mark Purser has made a bold start to the Sail Open in India.

The Asian Tour newcomer carded a hot seven-under-par 65 in the opening round yesterday in New Delhi to trail the overnight leader, Thailand's Chapchai Nirat, by three shots.

Purser was in a four-way tie for second, alongside Antonio Lascuna, of the Philippines, another Thai in Wisut Artjanawat, and Singapore's Mardan Mamat.

The US$300,000 ($560,430) tournament was last year won by New Zealand's Mark Brown, who has since gone on to earn promotion to the European Tour.

Purser, 24, has shown highly promising signs in his rookie season in Asia, finishing tied for seventh in the Asian Tour International before coming 10th equal in this month's Thailand Open.

- NZPA