Jeev opens with joint lead

Vienna, Austria: Jeev Milkha Singh shot into the joint lead along with five other golfers after firing an outstanding seven under 64 in the first round of the Bank Austria Golf Open at the Fontana Golf Club here on Saturday.

Swedes Pelle Edberg and Christian Nilsson, Austrian Martin Wiegele, Aussie Scott Barr and Irishman Gary Murphy joined Jeev at the top of the leaderboard.

Jeev’s back nine featured three back to back birdies from the 10th to the 12th and two more birdies on the 15th and 18th. On the front nine the Indian star sank birdies on the fifth, sixth and the closing ninth besides dropping a bogey on the seventh.

Jyoti Randhawa on the other hand had a forgettable day as he turned in a round of four over 75 to be tied 134th.

The Indian made bogeys on the 11th, 14th, third and a double bogey on the par four eighth. Randhawa managed to close his round with a birdie on the ninth.

Martin Wiegele thrilled the local fans when he eagled the par-5 15th to have the lead to himself at 9-under but he finished with two straight bogeys. "Until then, it was a dream round," he said. "A shame that my finish wasn’t perfect." Paul Lawrie shot 68, Michael Campbell 69, and Darren Clarke 70. Last year’s winner Richard Green shot 71.

— Agencies