Jeev tied 57th after opening round of 71 in Japan

Okayama, May 18: Riding on an improved back nine, Jeev Milkha Singh carded an opening round of one-under 71 for the tied 57th place in the 100 million yen Munsingwear Open KSB Cup.

A 10th tee starter, Jeev, the UBS Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, dropped a bogey on the 11th hole -- his second -- but offset it with a birdie on the 18th.

He started his backward journey with a bogey but Jeev did not let it slip out of his hands and followed it with back-to-back birdies and picked up another shot in the sixth hole and then signed off with three par shots for a sedate start in the tournament.

Takao Nogami's flawless eight-under 64 opened up a two-shot lead over a pack of five players at the Tojigaoka Marine Hills Golf Club.

UNI