Siem Reap, Nov 29 (IANS) Arjun Singh, struggling with lack of form and injury for the last two years, finally found the rhythm with a flawless five-under 67 that put him tied fourth at the end of the first round of the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open Thursday.
Meanwhile in Japan, defending champion Jeev Milkha Singh (69) was lying third after the first round and in Christchurch, Daniel Chopra was tied 14th after the opening day of the New Zealand Open.
In Siem Reap, Cambodia, Arjun was two shots behind the leader Adam Groom of Australia, who carded a seven-under 65, which included a streak of six birdies in seven holes from 12th to the 18th after starting on the tenth.
Groom is one shot clear of roommate and compatriot Mitchell Brown who shot a 66 and American Bryan Saltus who continued his fine form.
Arjun led the huge Indian contingent with the day’s best, while Harmeet Kahlon, yet another star trying to re-discover the form that won him the 2002 Hero Honda Masters, shot a three-under 69 despite a late double bogey on the eighth, his 17th hole of the day. He was tied 11th.
Amandeep Johl, just recovering from a broken wrist, shot a one-under 71, and was tied 34th as was Rahil Gangjee. Four Indians — Gurbaaz Mann, Digvijay Singh, Rahul Ganapathy and Vikrant Chopra — shot even par 72 each and were tied 43rd, while Chiragh Kumar (73) was 57th. Naman Dawar (74) was tied 70th, while Gaganjeet Bhullar endured a bogey-double start and was four over after seven holes, but managed to maintain composure to finish at 75 in 87th place. Uttam Singh Mundy and Firoze Ali, with 76 each, were 100th and will need strong second rounds to survive the cut.
Jeev lying third in Golf Nippon Series
In Tokyo, Jeev Milkha Singh made a solid start in his defence of the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup at the Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club.
Jeev, who has played only in select events in Japan this year, shot a one-under 69 and was tied third after the opening round. Jeev trails leader Shingo Katayama by three shots.
Jeev, who has slid from 37th to 80th in world rankings in 2007, had a very modest season with just one top-10 finish.
Daniel Chopra 14th at New Zealand Open golf
In Christchurch, Indo-Swede Daniel Chopra shot a two-under 70 in the first round of the New Zealand Open golf tournament Thursday. Chopra, who lost in the play-off at the Australian Masters last week, was tied 14th.
Australian Craig Parry, took the first round lead with a four-under 68 as the day was hit by howling winds and conditions which made scoring very difficult.