The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Arjun Atwal begins well

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 04, 2006

Sport

Sport - Golf

Arjun Atwal begins well

Scottsdale: Arjun Atwal shot an eagle on the 15th for a solid start of two-under 69 at the Stadium Course on the opening day of the $ 5.2 million FBR Open golf tournament here.

Atwal had two birdies on the front nine, but they were neutralised by successive bogeys on eighth and ninth, as he turned in even par. On the back nine, Atwal birdied the par-5 15th to go two-under and was placed tied 26th in a big group.

Daniel Chopra made a valiant recovery after starting with a triple bogey and then being five-over after 12, and ended with a two-over that placed him at tied 104th, needing a good second round to make the cut.

Germany's Alex Cejka and American Steve Lowery set the early pace opening with six-under par 65 each. World No. 4 and holder Mickelson, winner in 1996 and last year, dropped shots on two of the first nine holes but rallied after the turn with 4 birdies and a bogey for a 69.

Lowery, buoyed by seven birdies in 10 holes led for most of the day before being caught by late starter Cejka who produced a bogey-free round. The duo was a stroke ahead of Americans Jerry Smith, Bovan Pelt, James Driscoll and Brent Geiberger. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail