Paris, July 03: Returning from a rib injury, Jeev
Milkha Singh fired three-under 68 for the tied 20th place but
compatriot Jyoti Randhawa's opening round of 76 jeopardised
his prospects of making the cut in the Open de France Alstom
golf tournament here.
Among others, Kolkata pro SSP Chowrasia carded 69 to lie
tied 32nd while Delhi lad Shiv Kapur's one-over 72 had him
tied 85th.
Paired with Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jimenez,
Jeev had, by and large, a satisfying round with the 17th hole
bogey being the lone blot on the card.
Jeev said he could still feel the pain in his ribs but
was happy with the show.
"I played the pro-am with an anti-inflammatory patch on,
and it wasn't too bad. There was a bit of discomfort, but it
felt much better than during the US Open time. And the good
news is that I am hitting the ball quite ok," he said.
"I am pleased with my opening-round three-under 68. I
made only one bogey, and that was the irritating part. It came
on the 17th hole for me - eighth of the course - and I hate
making bogeys in the last couple of holes," said the Indian.
"I don't mind a couple of early bogeys, but when you drop
shots later in the round, it shows perhaps your focus wasn't
100 per cent there," he explained.
Jeev said he liked the course and was hoping for a good
finish on Sunday.
"It is one of my favourite events on the Tour and the
main reason for that is the Le Golf National course.”
"It is one golf course where I always seem to do well. I
was 12th in 2007 and 21st last year and I am looking forward
to improving on that this year. I am playing three successive
weeks - the Scottish Open and the Open Championship after this
- and these are going to be very important in consolidating my
position as far as The Race to Dubai is concerned," Jeev said.
On being paired with Montgomerie and Jiminez, Jeev said
it was an honour for him.
"This is an honour...Colin, obviously, is the captain of
European Ryder Cup team, while Miguel is playing his 500th
event on the European Tour. The cigar-smoking Spaniard is one
of the great characters on our Tour - much loved by his peers
for his affable nature and much respected for his skills.”
"And looking at the way he played the opening round, age
hasn't caught up with Miguel. I won't be surprised if he makes
it to Monty's team for Celtic Manor in 2010, and for the
tournament in 2012 as well," Jeev quipped.
Bureau Report