Poor start for Atwal; Jeev disappoints

Atwal, who became the first Indian to win a title on the PGA Tour last season at this very tournament, will be hard pressed to make the cut as he lies tied 123rd and the cut looks likely around one-under at the par-70 Sedgefield layout.

Atwal had a decent enough start with a bogey on the first and birdies on the third and fifth. Thereafter, it was a downward spiral with bogeys on the eighth, 12th, 13th and 17th for a card of 73.

Jeff Quinney shared the lead with Tommy Gainey after both shot seven-under 63s on the opening day.

At Celadana in the Czech Republic, Jeev Milkha Singh blew away an early lead with a messy finish, cading a double bogey and a bogey in the last three holes to finish the first round at 71 at the Czech Open.

The Indian was tied 25th, while compatriots Shiv Kapur and Gaganjeet Bhullar shot two-under 70 each to be tied for 14th. At the top, Irishman Peter Lawrie’s bogey-free round of six-under 66 gave him a one-shot lead over compatriot Damien McGrane.

Gangjee stumbles

In Kansas, Rahil Gangjee was unable to build on a good start and carded a modest three-under 68 in the opening round to lie tied 52nd at the Midwest Classic in on the Nationwide Tour.