India’s top-ranked golfer Jyoti Randhawa will need a miracle to make his fourth British Open appearance after a disastrous opening round of five-over-par 77 in the International Final Qualifying-Asia here on Tuesday.

Compatriot Shiv Kapur’s chances too look slim after the Delhi golfer went three-over-par 75 to be tied 31st in the two-day qualifier at the Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course.

Malaysian Danny Chia, Filipino Angelo Que and England’s Yasin Ali blasted identical three-under-par 69s to stay in the hunt for the four tickets at stake to The Open at Royal Birkdale, England, in July.

In fact, none of the Indians could return a sub-par round with Amandeep Johl’s two-over-par 74 being the best of the lot.

Worse was the case with Randhawa. He birdied the fourth and 12th holes but as many as five bogeys and a final hole double-bogey left him languishing at tied 52nd and virtually dashing his hopes of a fourth appearance in the elite event.

Among others, Digvijay Singh carded a 75, to join Kapur, while Randhawa had Rahil Gangjee for company.

Gurbaaz Mann was tied 62 after a nightmarish round of 10-over-par 82.

Leading scores: 69: Danny Chia, Angelo Que, Yasin Ali; 70: Antonio Lascuna, Tomohiro Kondo, Keiichiro Fukabori, Ben Leong; 71: Chinarat Phadungsil, Gavin Flint, Yoshinobu Tsukada, Brad Kennedy, Prom Meesawat, Will Yanagisawa.