Atwal returns to form, 2nd after opening round at Milwaukee Open

Wisconsin, July 28 (UNI) Arjun Atwal announced his return to form with a sizzling six-under 64 to be second in the weather-hit first round of the 4800000 dollar Milwaukee Open here.

Atwal shot his best round of the season as he fired seven birdies against a solitary bogey to be just three shots behind leader Corey Pavin of US before play had to be suspended due to inclement weather at the Brown Deer Park Golf Course.

''It's a good course; it's a fair course. If you hit it well, you can score. If you hit it off line, you will definitely make some bogeys,'' Atwal said after completing his round.

Pavin set a front nine record on his way to a nine-under 61. The 46-year-old shot an eight-under 26 in his first nine to break the previous low by a stroke, which was held by four players.

Atwal praised the American, who birdied the first six holes and picked up shots at the eighth and ninth to break the record, and said he enjoyed watching him play.

''He (Pavin) was playing right behind me and we were waiting on most of the holes. I looked back and it was fun to watch,'' Atwal said on the acievement of his rival in the tournament.

It was a welcome boost for Atwal, who has missed 13 cuts out of 21 this season. The Orlando-based Indian has enjoyed only one top-10 finish so far and on has agonisingly missed the weekend rounds by a shot or two on many occasions.

However, he left the past disappointment behind him and came up with a terrific performance yesterday to mark a comeback of sorts.

Atwal, who finished tied 17th in the BC Open last week, showed some fine form on the par three holes, shooting birdies on three of the four short holes.

The former Asian tour number one started by gaining a shot on the third and slotted a hat-trick of birdies between the sixth and ninth to be four-under at the halfway mark.

The Indian continued with his good show in his backward journey and fired a brace of birdies on the 13th and 14th. A 15th hole bogey after that was the only disappointment of the day for him as he signed off in style by firing a birdie on the last hole.

Atwal held a single shot leader over Americans Skip Kendall and Cameron Beckman when play was suspended for the day.

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