Indian golfer Shiv Kapur's persistence paid off as he shot a sensational seven-under 65, his best scorecard of the year, on the first day of the Open D'Italia to lie tied second here.
Kapur, who had experienced a series of disappointments this season, was two shots behind the early leader, Nicolas Colsaerts (63).
The other two Indians in the field also had a fine start with Jeev Milkha Singh scoring four-under 68 to be tied 22nd and SSP Chawrasia had a 69 and was placed tied 37th.
The 33-year-old Kapur, who has been a regular on the European Tour for nearly a decade, but is still looking for his maiden win, was two-under for the front nine, before he went on the over drive on the journey home with five birdies, including four in a row.
Kapur had five birdies, four on them on the trot from 12th to the 15th and a fifth on 18th. He had birdies on first, fourth and sixth and his only lapse of the day was a bogey on par-3 seventh. It was his best round of the season.
"It's been a while since I posted a number like that. It's great to get off to a good start but it is still too early and there is so much more of the tournament left. I got the best of conditions in the morning and its nice to finish with a number like that," Kapur said.
"I feel my game has been getting close but the lack of results has been frustrating, but I have tried to stay positive over the last three or four months as I have been around for almost 10 years and I know there will be more downs than ups," he said.
Talking about the course, Kapur added, "This course is a bit like Delhi Golf Club where I grew up. It is tree lined and not very long. So if I can keep the momentum going it should be fine.
"It finally felt good to get a few nice putts going in. I hope I can keep the momentum going," said Kapur, who has two titles on European Challenge Tour but none on the main Tour.
