Faultless Im claims one-shot lead in New Delhi

The American, seeking his first title on the European??Tour, tamed a narrow Delhi Golf Club course that rewards accuracy and touch to shoot a seven-under-par 65 on Thursday.

Im did not drop a shot in his opening round, making the turn at four under before posting??further gains on 10, 11 and 15.

He leads Spain's??Jorge Campillo and Nacho??Elvira??as well as??Prom Meesawat of Thaliand??by a stroke.

That trio??are level in tied second, with a quintet of players very much in contention on five under.

Terry Pilkadaris, Raphael Jacquelin, Sanjay Kumar, Wang Jeung-hun and Shiv Chawrasia all carded 67s.

However, the day belonged to Im, who said: "There were a couple of times where I almost walked away with a bogey but I made the up-and-down.

"I was just cool. I've heard about this golf course so many times prior to this trip.

"I've played a lot of golf at the beginning of this year in South Africa. The courses were way different from South African courses.

"I like this area where you need to keep it straight and hit good iron shots to have good birdie putts."