Sans Jeev, Shiv best Indian on view after Rd 1 of China Open

Shanghai, Apr 12 (UNI) Shiv Kapur's one-over 72 was the best an Indian could produce on the opening day of the Volvo China Open that was marked by gutsy winds and cold conditions making sub-par round a luxury for the golfers.

Talented Shiv is at tied 27th, five strokes off the pace held jointly by unheralded local Huang Mingjie and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin.

Compatriots SSP Chowrasia and Gaurav Ghei are at tied 41st place with others -- a stroke behind Shiv.

Shiv began on a shaky note, dropping a shot in the very first hole and spoilt it further with a double bogey on the eighth hole apart from bogeying the fourth and 12th but managed a to salvage the situation by firing in four birdies.

Chowrasia was the most erratic, coming up with a double bogey on the first hole and finished off with an eagle on the last hole before blasting two birdies and a couple of bogeys in between.

Among other Indians in the fray, Rahil Gangjee and Amandeep Johl had a disastrous outing and were langusihing at tied 97th spot. If they don't come up with a better show tomorrow, both might miss the cut.

High winds and narrow fairways left the scoreboard at the Silport Golf Club littered with bogeys but both Huang and Jacquelin managed to hold their nerve for three-under 68s with American Gary Rusnak alone in third after a 69.

Reigning champion Jeev Milkha Singh is not defending his title, having elected to stay in the United States to play the Verizon Heritage on the US PGA Tour following his debut at the Masters last week where he finished tied 37th following a promising start.

Jeev's won the Volvo China Open last year to end a title drought of seven years and went on to win three more tournaments on European and Japan tour to produce one of the best shows by Asian golfers.

UNI