English professional golfer Justin Rose to take the lead at the Indonesian Masters golf tournament has produced 10-under-par 62 on 14 December, Thursday.
Rose, who is the current world number six, took advantage of the benign early morning conditions to power his way to the top with a flawless card marked by 10 birdies at Royale Jakarta Golf Club, Indonesia.
It would have been a course record for the Olympic gold medallist if not for the preferred lie ruling which was in force.
On the other hand, Thailand's Gunn Charoenkul gave his merit battle a lifeline by opening with a 64 to stay two shots back of Rose in second place while compatriot Phachara Khongwatmai remained in the mix with a 65 which saw him share third place with Korea's Giwhan Kim at the Asian Tour's season-ending flagship event.
Choo Tze Huang, the Singaporean golfer is playing on a sponsor's invitation. He enjoyed an encouraging start by posting a 66 to grab a share of fifth place together with Australia's Ashley Hall and Lu Wei-chih of Chinese Taipei.
Playing in his event overseas after earning a one-year exemption on the Asian Tour, China's Xiao Bowen also had an encouraging start with his first round 68.
(With inputs from IANS)
