Shubhankar battles wind to shoot 68, lies 21st in Saudi International golf

India's Shubhankar Sharma handled the tough and windy conditions well as he returned with a quality two-under 68 to be placed tied 21st after the first round of the Saudi International golf tournament here on Thursday.

With strong winds blowing through the Royal Greens, running along the Red Sea, Shubhankar stitched together a round with five birdies and two bogeys for 68 and was tied alongside his former Asian Tour colleagues Jazz Janewattananond, Scott Hend and Justin Harding.

Another Asian Tour star, Gavin Green shared the lead with Graeme McDowell at six-under 64 with five players including Henrik Stenson lying tied third at 65.

Gaganjeet Bhullar, playing with co-leader Green, had an off-day as he began bogey-bogey and added two more on 11th and 18th but made no birdies.

At four-over, Bhullar, T-34 last year, faces an early exit unless he gets a great second round.

"I was happy with my play, even though dropping a shot on the last hole (ninth) was disappointing, but the hole was ..