Rahil Gangjee shoots modest 70 in opening round of Panasonic Open Championship

Rahil Gangjee shoots modest 70 in opening round of Panasonic Open Championship

Rahil Gangjee started his Panasonic Open campaign on a decent note to lie tied-third after the end of first round at the Joyo Country Club.

The 42-year-old missed the cut in last week’s event, but with his sheer dedication and solid confidence in his game, he rebounded and started this week’s tournament with a modest 2-under 70.

Gangjee, who won Panasonic Open in 2018, made five birdies against three bogeys to stay in the hunt at the ¥100,000,000 prize money event.

Ryosuke Kinoshita played an error-free 65 to grab the first-round lead.

The 2-time Japan Tour champion smashed four birdies on the front nine and three on the back nine to claim the lead.

Ryosuke Kinoshita
Ryosuke Kinoshita

Veteran Shintaro Kobayashi tied for second place with amateur Riki Kawamoto after shooting 6-under 66.

Defending champion Toshinori Muto posted 3-under 69 to grab a place inside top-25.

Muto, who won the Panasonic Open in 2019, waited one extra year to defend his title as the 2020 event was called off due to the Covid pandemic.

A pack of nine golfers, including ANA Open champion Scott Vincent, were at the tied-4th position.