Jeev, Bhullar struggle on day one; Chikkarangappa impresses

Jeev Milkha Singh, using a third putter in as many weeks, continued to struggle on the greens as he managed only a level par 72 on the opening day of the WGC-HSBC Champions here on Thursday.

Jeev had two birdies against two bogeys at the Mission Hills Golf Club’s Olazabal course to end the day in tied 34th place in the USD 7 million tournament. Jeev’s compatriot Gaganjeet Bhullar carded one-over 73 and finish the day further down in 46th place. Louis Oosthuizen and Adam Scott produced sparkling golf to charge to the top of the leaderboard after round one. The duo carded rounds of seven-under-par 65 to share pole position.
Bhullar struggled to a 73.

Watson and Phil Mickelson,  Peter Hanson and Shane Lowry in third place on six under par.

Chikka tied third

India’s S Chikkarangappa carded a creditable three-under 69 to occupy tied third position on the opening day of the fourth Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championship in Bangkok on Thursday.

Chikka was the best placed Indian and three shots adrift of the 14-year-old Chinese prodigy Guan Tianlang, who scored six-under. 

Khalin Joshi (74) in tied 27th, Udayan Mane (75) in tied 35th place.
Leader Tianlang had eight birdies in a sizzling six-under-par 66.