Jeev, Randhawa off to a good start at BMW International

Munich, June 22 (UNI) But for a bogey on the par-four fifth hole, Jeev Milkha Singh played a flawless golf carding an impressive three-under 69 for a tied 21st position after the first round of the BMW International Open here.

Compatriot Jyoti Randhawa had a more eventful outing as he shrugged off a poor start and hit a perfectly-timed eagle on the last hole for his two under-70 to end the day at tied 29th.

Fresh from braving a treacherous Oakmont course for a creditable tied 36th position at the US Open last week, Jeev hardly found the par-72 Munich Golf Club challenging and was off to a good start with a birdie on the opening hole.

He fumbled a bit on the fifth dropping a shot there but then went on to gain three strokes on the sixth, 11th and 17th.

Randhawa, on the other hand, had a horrendous beginning as he dropped two shots on the first two holes. He pulled back one with a birdie on the sixth and turned at one-over.

The Indian ace went on getting better and better with each hole on the back nine. He fired consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th, dropped a shot on 17th before signing off with an eagle.

Another Indian in the fray, Shiv Kapur did himself in on the back nine as he dropped a couple of strokes to even out his two birdies on the front nine for a level-par first round. Kapur was at tied 61st spot and will have to raise his game in the second round to make the cut.

Meanwhile, the opening day honours went to Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and Jose-Filipe Lima of Portugal both of whom playing a superb seven-under 65 to share a two-way lead.

UNI