SSP, Johl tied 14th, even-par shows by Shiv, Jeev, Randhawa

Bangkok, Dec 14 (UNI) SSP Chowrasia and Amandeep Johl turned in identical opening rounds of two-under 70 to be tied for 14th, while defending champion Shiv Kapur, firm favourite Jeev Milkha Singh and in-form Jyoti Randhawa returned even-par cards to share the 29th slot in the Volvo Masters of Asia here today.

Thai Prayad Marksaeng grabbed the opening round lead with a sizzling five-under 67, with the quartet of Thongchai Jaidee, Prom Meesawat, Terry Pilkadaris and Lin Keng-chi breathing down his neck one shot behind.

On day one of the 650,000 dollar season-ending tournament, all eyes were on Jeev, who is hoping for a Volvo treble after winning the Volvo China Open and the Volvo Masters in Spain.

Jeev, however, found himself in early trouble, approaching the 14th hole at three-over, folllowing the bogeys on the third, fifth, 12th and 13th holes as against the lone birdie on the seventh.

Jeev then showed why he is considered the hottest player on the planet, reeling off three birdies over the next three holes to atone for the dropped shots and ended the day with an even-par card.

Jeev, however, was not too unhappy with the show.

''I was a little tired honestly, having taken last week off and I was a bit rusty. I am happy with my first round today because I got it back to even par.

''It was a bit of a roller coaster ride for me today. My focus was not there. I wasn't that sharp that is why I made some mistakes.

I am level par and have another three days left,'' he said.

Defending champion Shiv Kapur had a roler-coaster even-par round with four birdies being negated by as many bogeys.

Indian Open winner Randhawa, on the other hand, began by picking up a shot before dropping back-to-back bogeys after a par shot and then sunk a birdie on the eighth hole before his putter went cold, resulting in a string of 10 par shots to end the day.

Johl and Chowrasia came up with the best show by the Indian and the former rode a bogey-free back nine to return two-under 70 with four birdies as against a couple of bogeys.

Chowrasia, nicknamed ''Chipputtsia'' for his magical short game, showed why he is considered the next best thing in Indian golf and returned a round of 70 to stay in hunt for a decent finish.

Chowrasia fired a birdie treble but bogeys on the fifth and ninth held him back in the front nine. On his way back, the Kolkata pro picked up a shot in the 14th to round off the day.

Leading first round scores: 67 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 68 - Lin Keng-chi (TPE), Terry Pilkadaris (AUS), Thongchai Jaidee (THA), Prom Meesawat (THA) 69 - Adam Groom (AUS), Lu Wei-chih (TPE), Iain Steel (MAS), Chawalit Plaphol (THA), Chris Rodgers (ENG), Chapchai Nirat (THA), Lee Sung (KOR), Wang Ter-chang (TPE) 70 - Ted Oh (KOR), Adam Blyth (AUS), SSP Chowrasia (IND), Amandeep Johl (IND), Suk Jong-yul (KOR), Unho Park (AUS) 71 - Gary Rusnak (USA), Edward Loar (USA), Thammanoon Srirot (THA), Jason Knutzon (USA), Chinarat Phadungsil (THA), Mardan Mamat (SIN), Brad Kennedy (AUS), Charlie Wi (KOR), Andrew Buckle (AUS) 72 - Marcus Both (AUS), Rick Gibson (CAN), Angelo Que (PHI), Lu Wen-teh (TPE), Yasin Ali (ENG), Simon Yates (SCO), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Shiv Kapur (IND), Juvic Pagunsan (PHI), Jyoti Randhawa (IND), Jeev Milkha Singh (IND) 73 - Choo Tze-Huang [A] (SIN), Tony Carolan (AUS), Jarrod Lyle (AUS), Gaurav Ghei (IND) UNI XC AY PDS ND1610