Amandeep tied 2nd after opening round at Crowne Plaza Open

Sanya, China, Aug 17 (UNI) Amandeep Johl put up the best show among all the Indians in the fray as he carded a five-under 67, which included a 16th hole eagle, to be tied second after the opening round of the 200,000 dollar Crowne Plaza Open at the Yalong Bay Golf Club, here today.

Johl was the best among the eight Indians in the fray and was full of joy after the day's play.

''I'm quite happy, especially after a two month break. I was working on the angle of approach in my swing and I wasn't too sure about the change,'' Johl, who has two top-three finishes this season, said after the first round.

''It didn't feel good on the front nine but I struck it better on the back. I've been quite pleased with my front half of the season which kind of takes the pressure of me. Once the card is out of the way, I can play with a free mind. Hopefully I can climb the ladder and win one. I'll be ready when the time comes,'' he added.

Digvijay Singh was a shot behind Johl at the tied 12th spot followed by Harmeet Kahlon at the tied 16th spot after carding three-under 69.

Digvijay, playing his back nine first, got off to a dream start as he sank in birdies from the 10th to 13th hole. He followed this up with another birdie on the 16th.

However, his front nine was far from perfect and he dropped shots on the sixth and eighth before firing a birdie on the ninth to end the day on a high.

Among the other Indians, S S P Chowrasia and Rahil Gangjee were tied for the 22nd spot after carding two-under 72. Gaurav Ghei (72) and Gurbaaz Maan (72) were next on the leaderboard at the tied 32nd position.

Prospects of Uttam Singh Mundy are, however, looking bleak as he lay at the 106th spot -- below the projected cut -- after a poor four-over 76.

At the top, Thai prodigy Chinarat Phadungsil fired a superb seven-under 65 for a two-shot lead.

The 17-year-old, who made history last season by becoming the youngest winner on the Asian Tour while he was an amateur, was near flawless in the opening round, shooting eight birdies against a lone bogey.

Chinarat is mourning the death of his coach Bud Kareeput, who passed away last month from a heart attack and he is determined to win the Crowne Plaza Open in his honour.

Title holder Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand strung together five birdies against a bogey for a 68 to be tied second.

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