Atwal at even par 72 in Nationwide Golf

Mitchellville, Maryland, May 23 (UNI) Ace Indian golfer Arjun Atwal made an even par start at 72 and was tied 38 at the Melwood Prince George's County Open.

On a day when only 37 players in the field of 153 broke par because of the 12-18 mph winds, Atwal had three birdies and three bogeys in his round.

Atwal, who is currently 14th on the Nationwide Money List and hoping to stay inside top-25 to find a place on main PGA Tour next year, started on tenth he birdied the 15th, 17th and third, while he dropped shots on 16th, second and fifth yesterday.

This year Atwal finished second in the Panama Moviestar event at the start of the season and then won the Malaysian Open.

30-year old Jeff Klauk shot a tournament record 8-under-par 64 for a two-stroke lead after the first day of the 650,000 dollars Nationwide Tour event.

He had a bogey-free day and was two clear of Matt Weibring, who was third at last week's BMW Charity Pro-Am in South Carolina.

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