Jeev, Sujjan best-placed Indian; Bhullar tied 53rd in Macau

Jeev Milkha Singh and Sujjan Singh brought home a card of one-under 70 to emerge as best-placed Indians even but defending champion Gaganjeet Bhullar could manage only a two-over 73 to lie tied 53rd after the opening round of the wind-swept Venetian Macau Open here today.
The 41-year-old Jeev sank as many as five birdies against four bogeys at the Macau Golf and Country Club. He picked up shots at second, third, sixth, 16th and 18th holes, while dropping bogeys at fifth, ninth, 11th and 15th holes.
Sujjan, on the other hand, picked up birdies at the second, seventh, eighth holes and 15th holes against bogeys at the fourth, 12th and 16th holes.

Last year's winner Bhullar had a treacherous back nine as he dropped bogeys at the 10th, 11th, 12th and 17th holes, besides dropping a shot at the fifth hole in the first nine. He had birdies at the second, sixth and 18th holes.
Among other Indians in fray, SSP Chowrasia, Arjun Atwal, Himmat RAI, Shankar Das scored one-over 72 to lie tied 37th spot, while Rahil Ganjee (73) and Anirban Lahiri (73) shared the tied 53rd place with Bhullar.
At the top, Australian Scott Barr battled to a three-under 68 for the joint first round lead, along with Ben Campbell of New Zealand and Kalle Samooja of Finland at the USD 800,000 Asian Tour tournament.

Barr, 41, produced a measured performance, shooting four birdies against a lone bogey to set the early pace with rookie Campbell, who shot the tournament's first hole-in-one, and Samooja.
Birthday boy Ernie Els of South Africa salvaged a 71 after fighting back from being four-over-par through his opening seven holes to lie three shots behind the leaders.
Two-time champion Zhang Lian-wei rolled back the years with a 69 for a share of fourth place with Thai teenager Jazz Janewattananond and Prom Meesawat, Australian Marcus Both and Bangladeshi Siddikur, who led on four-under before bogeying his closing two holes.