Atwal's woes continue, tied 93rd at the Colonial

Fort Worth, Texas, May 19 (UNI) Arjun Atwal's poor form this season continued as he carded a three-over 73 to be at the tied 93rd spot after the first round of the six-million-dollar Bank of America Colonial tournament being played at the Colonial Country Club here.

The Orlando-based Indian, who missed the cut in last week's 6.6 million-dollar EDS Byron Nelson, bogeyed five holes and managed to fire just two birdies in his poor opening round.

The world number 143 now faces an uphill task in the second round to stay in contention for the 60th edition of the prestigious tournament.

Playing his back-nine first, Atwal started ominously with a bogey in the 10th hole. The start was perhaps a sign of things to come as he dropped another shot in the 14th. Atwal finally had some success, firing a birdie in the 17th, but it proved to be a flash in the pan as he went on to bogey the 18th.

His front-nine started on a better note as he birdied the first but success eluded him after that as he went on to hit two back-to-back bogeys and round off the day with even-par shots.

Meanwhile, Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra had a level-par two-bogey two-birdie round to be at the tied 48th spot along with Korean KJ Choi, whose opening round was minus any birdie or bogey.

At the top, local and last year's runner-up Stewart Cink fired a blemish-free six-under 64 -- studded with six birdies -- to hold a single shot lead over four competitors, which included three Americans and a Canadian Stephen Ames.

Defending champion Kenny Parry was tied seventh after a three-under score in the first round.

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