Indians face the opening day woes at BMW Asian Open

Shanghai, Apr 19 (UNI) Rahil Gangjee's one over 73 for tied 50th place was the best Indians could come up with as all of them struggled with their putting on Day One of the BMW Asian Open here today.

A 10th tee starter, Gangjee began cautiously and birdied last two holes of his back nine to make the turn at two-under.

However, he lost the plot on the away journey and dropped three strokes to go over par.

The other Indians in the fray were no better, rather worse, and all of them were in the relegation zone after a nightmarish opening round at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.

Gaurav Ghei, SSP Chowrasia and Amandeep Johl were at tied 90th spot after a horrendous three-over 75 while Shiv Kapur was further down at tied 123rd place after going five-over at par 72 course.

Atop the table, Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin blazed into the lead with a six-under-par 66 as tournament drawcard Ernie Els battled to a 71.

Jacquelin extended his rich vein of form to take the lead by one stroke from Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark. Korea's Lee Sung, who was born deaf, produced a fine 68 to occupy tied third with Asian Tour regular Gavin Flint of Australia and Gregory Havret of France.

Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-hong, playing on an invitation from the club, sparkled with a 69 to tie eight-time European number one Colin Montgomerie of Scotland and Australia's Scott Hend.

UNI