Udayan Mane and Veer Ahlawat share a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Kolkata Challenge at Royal Calcutta Golf Club on Thursday.

The Indian duo impressed on home soil, posting five under-par rounds of 67, one shot clear of 11 others, including last week’s Delhi Challenge winner John Parry.

Mane mixed two birdies with one bogey on the front nine before adding four more birdies, including three in a row from the 15th, to set the pace from the morning starters.

The 33-year-old said accuracy off the tee was key to his strong start to the week.

“I kept the ball in play where it lies well, and I hit a lot of greens,” he said. “There are 108 hazards around here and in the 18 holes if you don’t hit any of them, you’re doing something right. The three birdies in a row at the end of my round were nice. The course does lend itself to that on those three holes, but it’s just good to make it count," Mane said.

“I also made some good momentum saves and a few nice birdies. I was out of position on a couple of holes, but I made birdie on one and managed to make par on the other.”

Ahlawat carded three birdies and one eagle to go bogey-free and join countryman Mane at the top of the leaderboard late on Thursday.

The 27-year-old said course knowledge gave him an advantage on Day I. “Because I’ve played here over the last few years, I know where to miss, and where you can attack certain flags,” he said.