Atwal tied seventh in Texas

Trying to find his way back after a year marred with injury troubles,Arjun Atwal shot a three-under 69 to be tied seventh after the first round of the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open on Thursday....

Trying to find his way back after a year marred with injury troubles,Arjun Atwal shot a three-under 69 to be tied seventh after the first round of the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open on Thursday. Jeev Milkha Singh,however,who has had his own,and much more recent,health troubles,stared at the prospect of missing the cut after carding a four-over 76.

Atwal made five birdies against a couple of bogeys to be just three shots off the pace. The Orlando-based player started his day on a high as he found a birdie on the first hole itself. He picked up two more shots,on the fifth and seventh,but a bogey on the fourth meant that he made the turn two-under. On his way back,Atwal picked up birdies on the 12th and 14th hole against a dropped shot on the 13th.

Atwal has had only two starts in the season,missing the cut in the Farmers Insurance Open,while finishing tied 43rd at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Australian Matt Jones led the pack by a stroke after returning a 66,with American Paul Stankowski following him in second. Ernie Els almost got himself a double eagle,tapping in on the 14th after a 293-yard second shot. He shot a 72.

Thailand extend lead over India

Bangalore: Thailand continued to assert their supremacy in the team standings among the boys at the HP Asia Pacific Junior Golf Championship at Eagleton Golf Resort,extending their lead to five shots over India thanks to a four-under 68 by Poom Saksansin in the second round on Friday. Thailand have a total of five-under.

The home team put up an improved show,with Chikkarangappa and Ashbeer Saini carding four-under 68s each and Honey Baisoya shooting a four-over 76,to take the team total to level par.

Among the girls,Chinese Taipei held on to the top spot at three-over for the tournament. Thailand replaced Singapore in second,one stroke back.

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Chinese Taipeis Teng Kao,playing in the individual boys category,carded a round of eight-under 64 in the second round. Kao,who is not part of the Chinese Taipei team,enjoyed a birdie-feast to total 11-under 133 and be placed one shot ahead of local player Chikkarangappa. Thailands Pavarisa Yoktuan joined Singapores Joe-Ee Kok on the top spot in Category A in the girls section,at one-over 145.