By IANS,
Columbus (Ohio) : A nightmarish run over the last five holes saw Indian golfer Arjun Atwal put himself in a tight situation from where he will find it difficult to survive to play the weekend rounds at the inaugural Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational.
Despite perfect conditions in the first round at the Ohio State University Scarlet Course, Atwal finished with a round of five-over 76 that pegged him at tied 116th place here Thursday.
The American quartet Bryce Molder, Bill Lunde, Kelly Grunewald and Dave Schultz were tied for the lead with four-under-par 67 each in the first round.
Australians Scott Gardiner and Marc Leishman, along with New Zealand’s Phil Tataurangi, are tied for fifth at three-under 68 with Rich Barcelo the US. There are 11 players tied for 12th at 2-under-par 69.
Atwal starting on the first had his first birdie of the day on fourth but gave that away on sixth to turn in even par. A birdie on tenth was followed by a double bogey on par-4 11th. He then bogeyed 14th and 15th and double bogeyed 16th to drop four shots in three holes. A birdie on 17th was small consolation as he bogeyed the last one again.