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India's Chowrasia and Lahiri lead at King's Cup

Bangkok (AFP) - Indian golfers got off to a roaring start at Thailand's King's Cup Thursday, with S.S.P. Chowrasia and Anirban Lahiri jointly leading the pack after day one with a seven-under-par 65.

Chowrasia, who has notched up three Asian Tour titles so far -- the most recent of which was on home soil last month -- charged into the lead during the morning session of the $500,000 Asian Tour event.

Lahiri began his round in the afternoon on fine form, hitting seven birdies at the 72-par Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club.

"There's still a long way to go as it's just the first day and I'm happy with my start. I've got to keep pushing on from here," Lahiri said after his round, according to a statement put out by tour organisers.

"I'm pleased with how I've played as I shot a really low number," added 36-year-old Chowrasia.

"It was unfortunate on the last hole as I hit a good tee shot and again a second shot. But I three-putted there," he added.

Australia's Kalem Richardson, a rookie on the Asian Tour circuit, fired off a bogey-free round to share third place alongside local players Phiphatphong Naewsuk and Danthai Boonma.

The King's Cup is one of four events to feature in Thailand on the Asian Tour schedule, and will see the like of Lahiri and Chowrasia compete against Taiwan's Chan Yih-shin, the only foreign winner of the King's Cup. He finished day one with a lacklustre 71.

Leading first round scores at the King's Cup in Khon Kaen

65 - S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND)

65 - Anirban Lahiri (IND)

66 - Phiphatphong Naewsuk (THA)

66 - Danthai Boonma (THA)

66 - Kalem Richardson (AUS)

67 - Carlos Pigem (ESP)

67 - Mo Joong-Kyung (KOR)

67 - Daniel Chopra (SWE)

68 - Jarin Todd (USA)

68 - Mardan Mamat (SIN)