Scotland's Peter Whiteford and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares opened with six-under-par 66s to share the lead after the first round of the Avantha Masters.

The duo are one shot clear of Italian Federico Colombo, while as many as six others are two shots adrift in New Delhi - Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thongchai Jaidee, Indian Himmat Rai, Frenchmen Jean-Baptiste Gonnet and Gregory Havret and Wales' Jamie Donaldson. Left Handed Ping G20 Fairway Wood

Co-leader Whiteford was only one under par at the turn, but a string of four successive birdies from the 10th rocketed him up the leaderboard, while a late birdie at the 17th saw him tie for the lead. His sole dropped shot came at the 486-yard fifth.

"It was the first time I've hit the fairways in months," said the Scot. "In the stats I probably didn't hit that many fairways, but it felt a lot better.

"I hit a lot more drivers than people usually do out there and just took advantage of the course and bulliedLeft Handed Ping G20 Fairway Wood
a little. It can bite you easily though if you're not careful. I had a bad one down the last but apart from that it's mainly the driving that was loads better today."

Canizares, whose father featured in the victorious 1989 European Ryder Cup team, also made most of his gains later on, picking up five birdies in his last seven holes - including one at the closing 18th.

"It's always nice to finish on a high like that," he said. "I didn't hit a great wedge shot into the green so it was nice to sink the putt.