Atwal tied 56th, Chopra tied 76th on opening day at Deere Run

Chicago, July 13 (UNI) Fresh from notching up his best finish of the year last weekend at Legend Financial Group Classic, Arjun Atwal began on a confident note but soon let the momentum slip to be tied 56th after the first round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois here.

The Orlando-based Indian seemed to set off from where he left just a few days ago, reeling off successive birdies on the first two holes but his erratic nature came back to haunt him as he went on to drop three bogeys on the third, sixth and ninth holes.

He then gained a stroke on the first hole of the back nine before dropping his fourth bogey of the day on the 11th hole. Atwal however, salvaged some pride by firing two birides, including one on the last hole.

Meanwhile, a double-bogey on the third hole spoilt Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra's show as he shot an even-par 71 to be placed 76th. Chopra managed only a couple of birdies in a sedate opening round for him.

American Neal Lancaster fired a seven-under-par 64 to grab a one-shot lead ahead of nine-times Tour winner Kenny Perry, who shares second place with fellow Americans Paul Stankowski, Duffy Waldorf, Jason Dufner and Scott Gutschewski.

Last weekend's third place finish was Atwal's best finish in the year in both PGA and Nationwide Tours thus far, with the previous best -- a tied 6th -- coming at Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship at Wente Vineyards in April.

UNI