By IANS,
Boise (Idaho) : Indian golfer Arjun Atwal, fighting to get into the top-25 of the money list to make the PGA Tour next season, opened in style with a five-under 66 that put him in tied second place at the $725,000 Albertsons Boise Open on the Nationwide Tour. A win or a top-three finish could give Atwal a big boost as he is currently placed 32nd on the money list.
Atwal is tied for second with five other players, with American Michael Putnam being the current leader at six under 65 at the Hillcrest Country Club.
Atwal, whose form has swung quite a bit this season, shot a bogey-free round with five birdies. His birdies came on the second, third, 12th, 14th and 15th.
He found 83 percent of the greens in regulation and needed 28 putts to get through the round.
The event is the 25th stop on the 2008 Nationwide Tour schedule, which has five more events, including the Tour Championships. The 25 leading money winners will move onto the PGA Tour next year.
Putnam also put together a bogey-free effort and leads Atwal, Garrett Willis, Bill Lunde, Jon Turcott, Matt Bettencourt and qualifier Kurt Barnes by one stroke. Two-time winner Scott Piercy heads a list of 12 players at 4-under 67, two back.
Putnam currently stands No. 54 on the money list and is also hoping for a win.