Randhawa tied eighth, Jeev tied 22nd at European Ope

Ireland, July 7 (UNI) Jyoti Randhawa got off to a solid start firing a four-under 68 to share the eighth spot, while Jeev Milkha Singh, bidding to book a place in The Open Championship, was tied 22nd with a two-under 70 after the first round of the Smurfit Kappa European Open.

Winner of five Asian Tour titles, Randhawa was three strokes off the pace from leader Bradley Dredge of Wales in the 42,36,000 dollar European Tour event .

Starting his back-nine first, Randhawa birdied the 11th hole before dropping a shot at the 13th hole. He then birdied the 18th, first, third and fifth holes to finish a good opening round performance at The K Club in Ireland.

The 34-year-old Indian was a stroke ahead of Thai ace Thongchai Jaidee, who enjoyed a blemish-free round as he birdied the 10th, 13th and fourth holes, to be at the tied 12th spot.

Meanwhile, Jeev Milkha Singh scored five birdies against three bogeys for his round of 70. Jeev, who finished tied ninth at the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship last week, is bidding to book a place in the 135th The Open Championship later this month.

At the top of the leaderboard, Dredge was the joint leader with Swede Niclas Fasth after the duo carded an identical seven-under 65.

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