India, Oct. 16 -- Rahil Gangjee flung his putter aside, threw his hands in the air, and allowed himself a hearty laugh even as a collective gasp left the sunkissed par 5, 556-yard 18th hole at the DGC on Thursday evening.

He had just nailed a 55-foot putt from the edge of the green for an eagle, a shot that seemed to go right of the flag but snaked left just in time and into the hole to catapult Gangjee from 13th to tied-fourth, making him the best-placed Indian on the opening day of DP World Indian Championship.

The seasoned Gangjee, 47, shot a five-under 67 that included four birdies and two bogeys besides that memorable eagle. A two-time winner on the Asian Tour, Gangjee credited his performance to a change in approach.

"The game ha...