Miserable day for Jeev

NEW DELHI, Feb 4: Christian PENA US and Zhang Lian Wei China led the field even as the Indians struggled on the opening day of the 75,000 Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open Golf Tournament at the Saujana Golf and Country Club at Kuala Lumpur today, according to information received here.Both Pena and Lianwei carded a round of six-under 66. Closely following the two was Frankie Minoza Philippines at 67. Garry Norquist US too was five under but had a hole to go.

As for the Indians, Jyoti Randhawa was joint 39th at one-over after 11 holes. The Chandigarh lad Chiranjeev Milkha Singh and Vivek Bhandari had a miserable day and were placed joint 93rd at four-over 76 each. Sweden8217;s Indian-born Daniel Chopra was joint 18th alongwith the defending champion, Edward Fryatt at one-under after 12 holes.

Jeev was terrible with his putting. He three-putted the 12th for a bogey after starting from the 10th tee and missed three birdie chances within four feet on the 15th, 16th and 18th holes. Bhandari, too found thebirdies hard to get. He made bogies on the seventh, eighth, 10th and 18th holes.

Pena was seven under after the 13th hole but three-putted the 14th for a bogey. Zhang on the other hand had seven birdies and only one bogey 15th to share lead with Pena.

Leading scores after 18 holes: 66 Christian Pena, Zhang Lian Wei; 67 Frankie Minoza; 68 Choi Kyung Ju, Thomas Muroz; 70 Andrew Coltart; Alex Cejka, Christian Chernock, Craig Hailline, Anders Hansen, Andrew Bonhonme; 71 Greg Owen, Gilberto Morales, Jerry Smith.