Shanghai: Jeev Milkha Singh and SSP Chowrasia got off to modest starts as the former carded an even par 72 to lie tied for 39th, while the latter shot 73 to be tied 50th on the opening day of the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai on Thursday.
Jeev, who was 10th at the high-profile CIMB Classic last week in Malaysia, had a rough start from the tenth as he parred first four holes but then bogeyed the 14th and double-bogeyed the 15th to fall to three-over after just six holes.
The Indian ace steadied from there on and did not drop a single bogey thereafter. He also picked three birdies on the 16th, second and eighth holes to finish at even par.
Chowrasia, recovering from his last-place finish last week, had two birdies and three bogeys in his 73.
Meanwhile, PGA Champion Keegan Bradley of the United States continued his dream run with an opening seven-under-par 65 to take the first-round lead.
His compatriot Bo Van Pelt, who won in Malaysia last week, posted a 67 to take a share of second place alongside Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson and Alexander Noren at the Sheshan International Golf Club.
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee upstaged some of the biggest names in golf with an opening four-under-par 68 despite waking up on the wrong side of the bed.
The Thai, who experienced a sore neck all day, stamped his class when he outshone some of the tournament's marquee names that included World No. 2 Lee Westwood (69) and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (70) to take a share of fifth place.
Asian Tour honorary member KJ Choi also matched Thongchai's opening 68 by mixing seven birdies against three bogeys.
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