Unheralded Shamim Khan of India upstaged some of the biggest names in golf to grab a share of the early first round lead in the Johnnie Walker Classic on Thursday.
 
The 28-year-old Khan fired a sparkling five-under-par 67 at DLF Golf and Country Club to set up the possibility of becoming the second Indian winner in a major tournament on home soil in a month.
 
He was joined atop the leaderboard by Argentinean Daniel Vancsik, who carded six birdies against a lone bogey in the US$2.5 million tournament dubbed as the Asia Pacific’s premier golf tournament.     
 
Australian Greg Chalmers, South African James Kamte, Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands and England’s Mark Foster were a shot off the pace after matching 68s while Indian trio Arjun Atwal, Shiv Kapur and Arjun Singh enjoyed strong opening rounds with 69s.
 
Reigning Asian Tour’s number one Liang Wen-chong of China overcame a double bogey en route to a 69 while Fijian world number 11 Vijay Singh opened his campaign with a 70.
 
“I’m really happy that in such a star-studded field, I’m at the top of the leaderboard. I can’t explain it in words,” said a beaming Khan.
 
Three weeks ago, S.S.P. Chowrasia secured a life-changing victory at the Emaar-MGF Indian Masters which has served as an inspiration for the likes of Khan.
 
Like Chowrasia, Khan is also a former caddie and has played mainly on the domestic Tour where he has won once previously. Khan needed only 24 putts, holing from long range on the 11th and 16th after starting the day from the 10th.
 
After turning in three under, the slightly built Khan chipped in on the seventh hole for birdie and closed out his round in style by firing a wedge to 12 feet for his fifth birdie of the day.
 
“My putting was very good. I took only 24 putts and I drove it good as well,” beamed Khan.
 
“SSP is an old friend of mine. I have been inspired by his victory. It has set the tone for us to do well in the international events that come to India. I’m concentrating on my game and will take it one step at a time.”
 
Vancsik, part of a quartet of Argentine players who triumphed on the European Tour last season, took time to come to grips on the tricky DLF greens but soon found his range to shoot up the leaderboard.
 
“I have been working hard since the end of the season. I have worked with my coach and psychology for this year and I feel very well. Every player in Argentina feels more confident after what happened last year,” said Vancsik.