Atwal opens with a 73 in Players Championships Golf

Ponte Vedra (US): Arjun Atwal opened his campaign with a modest 73 to be placed at tied 55th after the first round of the Players Championships Golf at the TPC Sawgrass on US PGA Tour.

Atwal ran into mid-round problems despite a great birdie-birdie start yesterday. He bogeyed sixth and eighth and then double bogeyed 12th and again bogeyed 13th to go three-over. Despite finding only 50 per cent fairways and greens in regulation, Atwal recovered with birdies on 14th and 16th to finish at 73.American Nick Watney, who won the WGC Cadillac earlier this season, shot an eight-under 64. But top draw Tiger Woods, after a front nine 42, withdrew with an injury as his knee bothered him.Lucas Glover, former US Open champion and winner last week, shot 65, while 54-year-old Mark O`Meara shot 66 in his first Players` Championships appearance in eight years. PTI