MUMBAI, JAN 28: Local lad Magan Subba Rao could have given a lesson or two to the well-known names teeing off on the first day of the Navy Golf Pro-Am tournament at the par-70 United Services Golf Club here today.

After a fighting bogey on the fourth, Magan was one over standing on the seventh tee. From there on he simply took off with a spurt of birdies on the seven, nine, 11, 12, 14 and 16 holes including an eagle on the 13th. Seven-under going into the final hole, the course record of 64 in the name of Philip Pilling looked under threat. But a bad tee-shot followed by some cross country play saw him sink a five-feet putt for a bogey to end the day on 64.

Chandigarh's Ranjit Singh, who's pro-career is on a new high with some good recent finishes including the second place at this year's BPGC Open, continued with his good form. Inspite dropping shots on three occassions, four birdies overall saw him finish one-under to stay on the third spot along with Chini Ali.

Thoughthere have been no pro tournaments for the last three years here, the golfer found the fairways and greens tremendously improved.

Uttam Singh Mundy, winner of the BPGC Open-- the last event of the Wills Sport Golf Tour in the city, said that though the greens appeared brown, the recent dressing helped in good putting. ``It is now for us to play well,'' said a disappointed Mundy after a round of two-over par 72.

Leading scores (after 18 holes)

64: Magan Subba Rao; 67: Vijay Kumar; 69: Chini Ali, Ranjit Singh; 70: Rezwan Ali. Chini Ali; 71: Bunty Randhawa, Rafiq Ali, Sanjay Kumar, Jagdish Angre.