Scintillating Jeev grabs opening round lead at Mizuno Open

Okayama, June 23 (UNI) Riding on a birdie binge, Jeev Milkha Singh offset a trio of bogey and grabbed the first round lead at the Mizuno Open with an opening round of six-under 66.

The Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit leader, who played in all four rounds at the US Open last week, fired nine birdies against three bogeys in the Japan Golf Tour event.

A top-four finish this week will see Jeev book a berth in The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool next month and the Indian started on a positive note with a two-shot lead at the.

Jeev dropped a shot each on the second, 12th and 14th holes but never let it go beyond his control and he signed off in style, with a birdie quartet.

Chasing him two shots behind is a four-member pack of Dinesh Chand, Shigeru Nonaka, Tatsu Ichihara and S K Ho.

Filipino great Frankie Minoza and Thai duo Thammanoon Srirot and Prayad Marksaeng carded 71s for tied 21st place.

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