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our-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar took the early lead at the Indonesia Open 2013 with seven-under-par 64 under cloudy skies at the Pantai Indah Kapuk Golf Course, North Jakarta, on Thursday.

'€œI played really good. It was a bogey-free round. It always feels good when you stay away from bogeys. I had a great back nine, which was the golf course front nine. I think I drove the ball really good and kept everything in play,'€ said the Indian golfer, who won his maiden Asian Tour title at the Indonesia President Invitational in 2009.

He missed only one fairway and was equally dominant on the greens, where he made 27 putts.

'€œI think my putting was the reason I shot a 64. In fact, I didn'€™t have many long putts out there. I hope to continue this streak in the next three days,'€ he said.

The 25-year-old pro is currently sixth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, Nicholas Fung of Malaysia, Americans Anthony Kang, Berry Henson, South Korean Mo Joong-kyung and Malaysian Shaaban Hussin were tied in second place on 66 at the US$750,000 tournament.

'€œPlaying in the same group as Gaganjeet helped me, because he motivated me to play well. He'€™s playing so good and made almost every putt,'€ said the 18-year-old Jazz.

'€œFinishing top five in Manila two weeks ago gave me a lot of confidence coming into this week. The course is kind of long for me and the greens are tough to read. I need to hit my long irons good and make as many putts as I can,'€ he added.

Fung looked satisfied with their first round play.

'€I started so well. I wanted to shoot an even-par on the back nine, but instead I did well there. The front nine is much easier compared to the back nine. The last few holes especially 15 and 18 are tough. I'€™m surprised I birdied 15,'€ said Fung.

'€œThe par-three 15th hole was my best birdie. I hit my four-iron, which landed short of the flag but I made my birdie putt from 20-feet,'€ added Fung.

Joong-kyung said that he played the way he wanted to on what he believed to be a difficult course.

'€œIt'€™s a pretty tough course. If the wind blows hard like now, then it would be really tough. It wasn'€™t as windy when I played in the morning,'€ said the 42-year-old.

'€œI am playing in the afternoon tomorrow. I am sure it will be windy so we will see how it goes. I'€™m hoping for a good finish this week so that I can keep my card for next year'€ he added. He currently sits at 56th.

Local player Rory Hie scored a three-under-par 68, putting him in 14th position along with Singaporean Mardan Mamat, Zaw Moe of Myanmar, Kim Gi-whan of Korea, Chan Kim of the United States, Carlos Pigem of Spain, Lionel Weber of France and Chris Rodgers of England.

'€œIt was a solid round today. I'€™m quite satisfied with my back nine, unfortunately I'€™m unable to maintain my game at the front end,'€ Hie said, adding that the wind was the biggest challenge during the Thursday'€™s round.

The Indonesian number one is looking to improve his position from 89th and break into the top-60 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit as he is fighting for a place on the Asian Tour next year.

'€œThere is obviously more pressure on me this week but I think that helps me to play better than usual. I was really happy with my eagle on 16. I hit a really good shot,'€ said the 25-year-old, who chipped in the eagle from about 120 yards on the 16th hole.

Four other Indonesians Andik Mauludin, George Gandranata, Fahmi Reza and Tirto Tamardi returned to the club house with 71s to tie at 43rd.

'€œIt was pretty difficult playing today, especially at the front nine. I need to improve my putting,'€ said George.

Local amateur Jordan Irawan, who used the Indonesia Open as his last tryout before heading to the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), hit a 70 to take a share of 30th place.