Randhawa hogs opening day glory, soars to 3rd place in Singapore

Singapore, Sep 7 (UNI) Unfazed by the star-studded field and cool in the sauna-like conditions, Jyoti Randhawa, eyeing an encore of his 2000 triumph here, returned an opening round of three-under 68 for the third place in the three million dollar Barclays Singapore Open here today.

A 10th tee starter at the hot and humid Sentosa Golf Club, Randhawa's front nine was rather an average affair with a dropped shot on the 12th hole. But the Indian ace reeled off four birdies on his back nine, including three in a row from the second hole for his round of 68 which keeps him just a shot adrift of joint leaders Juvic Pagunsan and Scott Strange.

The Indian thus walked away with his share of opening day glory, outshing the likes of three-time Major winner Ernie Els (71) and defending champion Adam Scott (70).

''I put a little bit of pressure on myself on my front nine - that is the tougher nine. I was preparing for this week and expected too much of myself. I could not swing it, hit the ball the way I wanted to. Then I just eased down a bit, relaxed a bit and had a good back nine. That was good,'' said a satisfied Randhawa after his round.

Meanwhile, Shiv Kapur's rollercoaster round of one-under 70 saw the talented India finish tied ninth. Shiv's birdie binge -- three in each nine -- was rendered less effective as he dropped five bogeys -- three in his front nine and two on his way back.

Highest ranked Indian Jeev Milkha Singh was held back by the double bogey on the par-four fifth hole and his finished tied 18th after a level-par round.

Among other Indians, Kolkata-based SSP Chowrasia went one-over 72, followed by Gurbaaz Mann (73), Harmeet Kahlon (73), Arjun Singh (74), Gaurav Ghei (74) while the Digvijay Singh, Rahil Gangjee, Uttam Singh Mundy and Amandeep Johl quintet carded identical rounds of 77.

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