Atwal tied 119th, Chopra tied 31st at Booz Allen Classic

Washington, June 23 (UNI) Arjun Atwal squandered a good start to card a three-over 74 to be placed tied 119th, while Daniel Chopra came up with a consistent performance for a two-under 69 to share the 31st spot after the opening round of the five million dollar Booz Allen Classic in Potomac, Maryland.

Atwal, who has been struggling for form this season, started off well firing two successive birdies but two bogeys on the third and fourth pulled him back. He recovered to gain two successive shots and hit a couple of par shots before dropping another shot on the ninth hole.

The Orlando-based Indian was one under at the half-way mark but his eventful backward journey cost him a decent start in the tournament.

Atwal dropped a shot on the 10th, which was perhaps a sign of things to come as he double-bogeyed the next. He seemed to have recovered after firing two consecutive birdies on the 11th and 12th but a second double-bogey erased any such hopes.

The former Asian Tour number one hit two more bogeys before ending the day with a couple of even par shots.

In contrast, Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra stumbled just twice in his round of 69, which saw him fire four birdies.

At the top of the leaderboard, American Ben Curtis carded a blemish-free nine under 62 opening round studded with nine birdies to take the sole lead. The American looking to win his second PGA tour title is a shot clear of compatriot Jeff Gove.

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