Sport - Golf

Arjun Atwal in 45th place

MEMPHIS: Arjun Atwal closed with two birdies in his last three holes to repair the damage of a triple bogey as he finished with a three-over 73 in the opening round of the St. Jude Championship in Memphis.

As only seven players had sub-par rounds and another 11 were even par at the par-70 layout, Atwal, tied 45th, would have been inside the top-10 but for his triple bogey on fifth.

Playing in windy conditions, the Indian had four birdies, four bogeys and a triple bogey.

The lead was held by Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson and Australian Adam Scott, who shot a three-under-par 67 each to share the first round lead.

Meanwhile in Vienna, Shiv Kapur had a forgettable day as he failed to land a single birdie and had six bogeys in his six-over 77 that left him in deep danger of missing the cut at the Austrian Open golf tournament.

Kapur tied 148th

Kapur was tied 148th and will need a big effort to stay on for the weekend at the Fontana Course.

Kapur found the fairways alright but then his iron play let him down and managed only nine greens in regulation and then needed 31 putts for the round.

Meanwhile, Graeme Storm, who withdrew from U.S. Open qualifying, for lack of confidence, shot an eight-under 63 to equal the course record and take a one-stroke lead.

Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia found form with a round of five-under 66 that carried him to tied fourth place at the Bangkok Airways Open at Koh Samui (Thailand).

When play ended early in the second round due to darkness, Chowrasia was two shots off the lead held by Lee Sung Man, who turned in a two-under 69 to take a one-shot lead.

Even as Chowrasia made some great birdies with his changed putter, another fine Indian performance came from Gurbaaz Mann who also shot 66 to move to tied ninth at three-under 139.

Rahil Gangjee (72) and Gaurav Ghei (70) were tied 22nd at even par 142, while Arjun Singh (71) and Digvijay (71) were four-over 146 in tied 52nd.

Amandeep Johl had a better day at one-over 72, but because of his first round 78, he was sure to miss the cut at 150. — Agencies

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