Lahiri leads by two shots midway through first round

Anirban Lahiri carded a brilliant bogey free six-under 66 to take a two-shot lead midway through the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship. McIlroy struggled at four-over through 13 holes, before fighting back to 73.

Anirban Lahiri lines up a putt on the 16th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte on Thursday.

Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri carded a brilliant bogey free six-under 66 to take a two-shot lead midway through the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club, here on Thursday. Lahiri was two shots better than John Senden and three better than Reteif Goosen, among those who had finished the first round. Tim Wilkinson was at four-under with two holes to go.

Lahiri had three birdies on either side and he birdied three of the four par-fives. If Lahiri keeps the lead at the end of the round, it will only be the second time he will hold sole or shared lead after 18 holes.

Lahiri birdied the fourth, sixth, seventh and turned in three-under and then added birdies on 10th, 15th and 16th and made a great par save on 18th to finish the day error free. Lahiri’s longest putt was the 17—foot birdie on the 15th and his other birdies were all inside 10 feet, indicating how good his hitting was today.

Lahiri’s hitting and putting were quite easily the highlight for him and sets him for a good week. Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed and Jim Furyk were among those who shot 73 each.

McIlroy struggled at four-over through 13 holes, before fighting back to 73. 2012 champion Rickie Fowler briefly made an appearance at the top of the leader board, but dropped back after a double-bogey on the 17. He finished at one-under for the day.