Sujjan hits 68 to lie joint third

Sujjan Singh notched no less than eight birdies but a bogey on the 17th denied him a share of the lead at the end of the first round of the USD 750,000 CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters, here on Thursday.

Sujjan, playing on a medical exemption, carded four-under 68 and was tied third, one behind joint leaders, Nicholas Fung of Malaysia and Korean-American Anthony Kang, who shot 67 each.

Arjun Atwal, struggling to rediscover his form, rallied from a bogey-bogey start to shoot two-under 70, while Rashid Khan, two-over after four, also ended with a 70.

EurAsia Cup hero Anirban Lahiri and Rahil Gangjee also carded 70 each to be tied 17th. SSP Chowrasia (71) was tied 34th while Jyoti Randhawa (72) was tied 45th.

Himmat Rai and Digvijay Singh were placed tied 61st with rounds of 73 each, while it was a disappointing day for Chiragh Kumar (77) who at tied 118th, will need a superlative second round to make the cut.

Things were not too good for the marquee players as Victor Dubuisson of France, the World No 29, shot 74 and the 2010 Open winner Louis Oosthuizen carded 72, while Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thongchai Jaidee carded 71 each.

Sujjan’s best finish on Asian Tour has been a fifth place at the 2011 Avantha Masters in New Delhi.