Atwal falters in TPC debut, Chopra tied 24th

Florida, Mar 24 (UNI) Arjun Atwal made a disappointing debut in what is dubbed the unofficial fifth major with a woeful opening round of four-over 76 while Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra carded two-under 70 to be tied 24th in the eight million dollar Players Championship.

A 10th tee starter, Atwal began with a bogey and that was a bad omen indeed as he dropped five more -- on the first, third, seventh, eighth and 10th -- against just a couple of birdies on the fifth and ninth.

In contrast, former Asian Tour regular Chopra enjoyed a solid start to his campaign with a 70 that included birdies on the second, fourth, 10th, 12th and 16th while he dropped a shot each on the eighth, ninth and 15th holes.

At the top, American Jim Furyk shares the lead with his good friend Davis Love III at seven-under 65.

World number one Tiger Woods, who missed practice to visit his ailing father, had a roller-coaster round that included five birdies and as many bogeys for his level-par show.

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