Sports India

Daniel Chopra and Arjun Atwal both fired four-under 68 to be tied 14th at the end of the first round of the PGA Tour’s $ 300,000 BC Open at the par-72 Atunyote Golf Course.

Atwal’s round was studded with an eagle four on the par-4 ninth hole and he had three other birdies and one bogey.

The round ought to give Atwal, who is struggling with his putting this season, some confidence. Though the score was fine, he still needed 30 putts for his round on the 7,315-yard layout.

Chopra, who has been starting very well last few weeks but fading away on the weekend to finish much lower than expected, went on a birdie spree from the 11th to the 15th for five on the trot.

He also had one fifth and bogeyed twice on ninth and 16th for his 68. Chopra needed 26 putts.

Former USPGA Champion Mark Brooks took the lead with a seven-under 65 that gave him a one-shot lead over defending champion Jason Bohn.

The course for this year’s event has event has been shifted to Turning Stone Resort’s Atunyote Course, from En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, New York which had hosted the BC Open for 35 years.

Heavy rains caused flooding in the area and left the course unplayable. Last season Bohn set a record of 24-under-par at En-Joie.

Harrison Frazar had seven birdies and a bogey and also was one shot back. There were 10 players at 67 and another nine at 68.