Japanese celebrity off key in horror golf debut

TOKYO, Sep 28 (Reuters) Japanese actor-singer Akira Kobayashi was in a state of shock after his professional golf debut went horrendously off script.

The 68-year-old carded a 94 in the first round at PGA Handa Cup on Japan's senior tour yesterday, leaving him a whopping 28 strokes off the lead.

Kobayashi's performance went downhill after a five-foot birdie putt slipped wide of the cup on the first hole, as triple bogeys followed on holes three and four.

''I felt as comfortable when I was on the first tee as when I'm on stage with a microphone in my hand,'' Kobayashi was quoted in the Japanese media today.

''I just couldn't control the mental aspect of the game. My body wouldn't do what my mind was telling it too. I'm shocked by how bad I was.'' REUTERS BJR PM1242