James Byrne hot on heels of leader in India

ASIAN tour: James Byrne made the most of getting a break with his draw to lie in joint second after the first round of the Panasonic Indian Open at Delhi Golf Club.

Out in the first group of the day, the Scot was through the turn by the time a swirling wind started to cause problems and managed to post a two-under-par 70. “I played well,” said Byrne, who is in a group of eight players sitting a shot behind the pacesetter, India’s Anirban Lahiri. “I managed to stay out of the bushes all day and that helps round this course.”

Having started at the tenth, Byrne, who has yet to make his presence felt at the business end of an event on the circuit, was one-over with six holes to play but then bagged three birdies in five holes. Dubai-based Ross Bain, the other Scot in the field, is lying in a tie for 105th after an error-strewn 79.