SHANGHAI: Jeev Milkha Singh, who finished sixth in both the Asian and Japanese money lists coming into this week, returned a three-under 69 to be tied eighth after the first round and firmly in contention for the BMW Asian Open title here.
Asian Tour Order of Merit front-runner Jyoti Randhawa was lying in joint 12th with a round of two-under-par 70. The lead was shared by seven, including Eddie Lee, who carded 67 which was matches by England’s Simon Wakefield, and world number three Ernie Els at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.
Jeev said: “I rolled the putts well, but just didn’t make anything coming in. I am happy, though, and I am hitting the ball much better. I have worked hard on my game this week, so we will see what happens".
Local favourites Zhang Lian-wei and Liang Wen-chong are the leading mainland Chinese players in equal 12th after rounds of 70, the same score as defending BMW Asian Open champion Miguel Angel Jimenez. Lee, yet to make a cut on the Tour in seven attempts in 2005.
