Akron: Returning from an inujry break,
ace Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh carded a modest even-par
70 to take a share of the 27th spot alongside defending
champion Vijay Singh and world number two Phil Mickelson after
the opening round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational here.
Jeev, playing his first tournament after being laid low
by a rib injury for three weeks, sank in three birdies against
an equal number of bogeys at the Firestone Country Club.
The seasoned Indian picked up a birdie on the second hole
but was pulled back by a bogey on the very next hole. He
gained a shot on the sixth to make the turn one-under.
His backward journey also started well with a birdie on
the 10th but bogeys on the 11th and 18th holes prevented him
from breaking par on the opening day.
Irishman Padraig Harrington opened a two-stroke lead at
the top after carding a flawless six-under 64. Thai Prayad
Marksaeng, South African Tim Clark and American Scott Verplank
shared the second spot.
World number one Tiger Woods and Spaniard Sergio Garcia
were tied for the eighth spot after turning in identical 68s.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, August 07, 2009, 13:09