Sentosa: Spearheading the Indian
challenge in absence of defending champion Jeev Milkha Singh,
Jyoti Randhawa brought home a two-under 69 to lie tied seventh
before inclement weather dropped early curtains on the opening
round of the Singapore Open golf tournament here today.
With Jeev deciding to strut his stuff in the Volvo World
Match Play Championship in Spain rather than defend his title,
Randhawa stepped up to the plate to led the Indian campaign
and overcame a poor start to lie three shots off lead.
A 10th tee starter, Randhawa bogeyed the 13th and 14th
hole to go two-under before picking up a stroke on the 18th to
lie one-over at the turn.
Things looked much improved in the other nine and
Randhawa kept it bogey-free while sinking three birdies to
settle for a two-under card.
Digvijay Singh (72) and S S P Chowrasia (76) were the
two other Indians who could finish their round before a
three-hour lightning suspension earlier in the day cut short
the proceeding.
Chowrasia's chance of hanging on for weekend action now
looks slim after the Kolkata pro finished his round without a
single birdie against his name.
After two par shots, Chowrasia stumbled to a triple bogey
on the par-four third hole and, on his way back, bogeyed the
11th and 15th to go five-over.
Among other Indians in the fray, veteran Gaurav Ghei was
one-under after six holes, Shiv Kapur going even-par after 13
holes, C Muniyappa also even-par after seven holes.
Rising star Gaganjeet Bhullar was two-over after 10
holes, having already dropped two bogeys and a double bogey as
against a couple of birdies.
They were among the 78 players who would resume their
first round tomorrow morning.
England’s Ian Poulter shot a superb five-under 66 to take
the clubhouse lead in the USD five million event.
The Ryder Cup star finished strongly with four birdies
over his last six holes at the Sentosa Golf Club to lead by
one from three-time Major winner Ernie Els of South Africa and
unheralded Chan Yih-shin of Chinese Taipei.
Bureau Report