JOIN USJeev, who ended a seven-year title drought with the win at Volvo China Open five years ago, is hoping to end a three-year winless period this week. He was two shots behind Korean Han Chang-won (64).
Han, a former Asian Amateur Champion, led by one point from Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin (65).
Shiv Kapur, with four birdies and no bogeys at 68, was tied 24th while the third Indian in the fray, SSP Chowrasia (70) was tied 58th on a low-scoring day.
“It was a great day for scoring. I was using a new driver and really enjoyed it out there,” said Jeev. “I am staying in the present and not getting ahead of myself. The course is playing superb and it should be a really low scoring event.”
Jeev was tied seventh with New Zealand’s Steve Alker, Korean Choi Jin-ho and Dutchman Joost Luiten, all tied on six under. Keith Horne, who opened with four birdies, was seven under through 14 holes as play was stopped early due to poor light. Jeev, starting on the tenth, had three birdies and one double bogey to turn in two-under. On the second nine, he eagled the first, and birdied the third, fifth, seventh and ninth. He dropped a shot on eighth for a card of 66.
Bhullar breaks par
Gaganjeet Bhullar was the only one to break par on an otherwise disappointing day for the Indians in the first round of the Indonesian Masters Golf tournament in Jakarta.
Bhullar shot one-under 71 and was placed tied 32nd, five shots off the leader Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rehman. Siddikur shot an opening six-under-par 66 to lead on day one but has world number two Lee Westwood trailing by two.