Date:24/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/24/stories/2006062409171700.htm

Sport - Golf

Jeev grabs lead

Okayama (Japan): Riding on a birdie binge, Jeev Milkha Singh offset three bogeys and grabbed the first round lead at the Mizuno Open with an opening round of six-under 66.

Chasing him two shots behind is a four-member pack of Dinesh Chand, Shigeru Nonaka, Tatsu Ichihara and S.K. Ho.

Atwal tied 119th

Arjun Atwal squandered a good start to card a three-over 74 to be placed tied 119th, while Daniel Chopra came up with a consistent performance for a two-under 69 to share the 31st spot after the opening round of the Booz Allen Classic at Potomac (U.S.). At the top of the leaderboard, American Ben Curtis carded a blemish-free nine under 62 opening round studded with nine birdies to take the sole lead.

Randhawa at 41st

Jyoti Randhawa's sedate opening round of one-under 72 earned him a share of the 41st place while compatriot Shiv Kapur battled to a 74 to finish tied 81st in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles (Scotland). Big Dane Thomas Bjorn set a blistering pace with a 65 to snatch the first round lead.— UNI