From correspondents in Delhi, India, 09:00 PM IST

Amardeep Singh Malik took the honours in round one of the DDA Open Golf Championship. Malik shot a brilliant bogey-free eight under-62 at the Qutab Golf Course Wednesday to be placed at the top of the leaderboard.

Vijay Kumar's six under 64 placed him second.

Malik's blistering 62 included eight birdies. His round was characterised by some accurate hitting as he hit it close to the pin through the day, setting up relatively easy birdie putts in the process. The 24-year-old's longest putt of the day was a 12-footer for birdie on the third.

'I had a great round as I hit it pretty close on most occasions. I have been playing well for quite a while but today everything seemed to be falling in place,' said Malik, whose previous career-best round of eight under was also recorded at the Qutab Golf Course.

Vijay sank seven birdies and a lone bogey on the seventh in his round of 64. The Lucknow-based professional hit a purple patch from the third to the sixth hole where his hitting was spot-on.

Delhi golfers Ashok Kumar and Manav Jaini are tied third with matching scores of five under 65.

Delhi's Balbir Singh Verma and Kunal Bhasin of Australia share fifth place at four under 66.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)