Opening Rd blues for Atwal

Detriot, June 29 (UNI) Arjun Atwal and Daniel Chopra, both shot identical cards of two-under 70 to get off to a sedate start at the Buick Open here.

Fresh from an impressive tied 29th spot finish at the Travelers Championship last weekend in Connecticut, Georgia-based Atwal launched himself with a birdie on the very first hole and followed it up with three more birdies, including successive ones at the 12th and 13th holes against a double-bogey on the back nine to make the turn at two-under 34.

He went on to gain two more strokes against dropping an equal number of them to end the day at two-under.

Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra, however, had a less eventful opening round inspite of the identical two-under 71 score as he reeled off three birdies to go with a lone bogey against his name.

Meanwhile, American journeyman Rocco Mediate birdied the final hole to cap off an error-free opening round and grab a one stroke lead with a eight-under 64.

Lurking one shot back are Americans Brett Quigley, Woody Austin and Cameron Bateman on seven-under 67 with 2003 Buick champion and world number three Jim Furyk headlining a group one shot further adrift on 66.

World no.1 Tiger Woods, who captured his 50th career title at Warwick Hills last year, is not back to defend his crown deciding to spend time at home with his new-born daughter.

UNI