Hanson in difficult first round

CHRIS HANSON admitted he was beaten by the course after carding a five-over-par round of 77 at the Hero India Open at DLF Golf and Country club in New Delhi.

The Woodsome Hall European Tour professional had two bogeys and two double bogeys in addition to, spectacularly, recording an eight on the par-four second.

Those 10 shots dropped meant his five birdies didn’t really count for much in the general scheme of things, but Hanson was pretty philosophical about it.

He tweeted: “Strangely enjoyed that round and gave it everything to the end! (+5). “But today I truly got DLF’d.” Emiliano Grillo beat the sunset to post a course-record equalling 65 and open up a two-shot lead on day one. DLF Golf and Country Club is considered one of the most difficult courses on the European Tour and its severity meant that 24 players were unable to finish their opening rounds.

The shadows were lengthening as Argentinian Grillo completed his round but he made an eighth birdie of the day on the last to get to seven under and lead the way from Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, Italian Matteo Manassero and American Paul Peterson.

The 25-year-old plays mainly in the United States, where he graduated from the Web.com Tour and won his first event as a PGA Tour member in 2015 at the Frys.com Open.

He is playing on an invite this week in New Delhi.