Manav Jaini shot a five-under 66 to establish a two-stroke lead after Round I of the PGTI Players Championship at the Poona Club. Abhishek Jha, Gurbaaz Mann and BG Lalith Kumara were tied second at three-under 68.
Jaini picked up his first stroke on the seventh and then sank a 15-footer for another birdie on the eighth to go two-under at the turn.
He then consolidated by collecting three more birdies on the back-nine (11th, 12th and 18th).
Indian golfer impresses in Orlando
Manu Gandas, a qualifier from the Albatross Junior Tour, finished runner-up at last month's Tournament of Champions in Orlando, which was organised by Hank Haney's International Junior Golf Tour.
Manu (70, 71, 73) was a stroke behind Anthony Perrino (72, 68, 72) of the US, at the start of the final day, and even took a one-stroke lead on the back nine. However, a double bogey on the final hole (9th) caused him to lose to Perrino.