Amateur Rayhan top Indian at T-17th in Saudi international

Dubai-based golfer Rayhan Thomas, who is looking to crack the Top-10 in World Amateur Rankings, was the best Indian on display on the first day of the inaugural Saudi International here Thursday.

The 19-year-old Thomas was placed Tied-17th after bringing in a card of three-under 67 with four birdies, three of them in the first five holes, against one bogey.

He was four shots behind leader Belgian Thomas Pieters (63) at the Par-70 Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

Gaganjeet Bhullar shot 68 and was Tied-31st, while Shubhankar Sharma struggled in the strong afternoon winds to shoot a birdie-less 77, which means he needs to go really low to make the cut that is likely to be at even par.

Rayhan, who won a silver medal for India at the Asia-Pacific Amateurs, said, "I played solid and hit a lot of good drives and iron shots. The putting also gave me confidence. Overall it was a good day and I need to build on it."

He will tee off in the first group on Friday. "The wind should be down and