Canada’s Anil pockets gross title on opening day

Sandhu tied second, Jeev 8th

Noida:Meanwhile, Chandigarh's Ajeetesh Sandhu was lying tied second along with Sri Lanka's Anura Rohana on the opening day of the Shubhkamna Champions Tournament, an event hosted by Jeev Milha Singh in Noida. Sandhu shot a round of 66 in the Rs 60 lakh event at the Noida Golf Club.

Daniel Chopra took a two-shot lead after the first round. Gaganjeet Bhullar, widely tipped as Jeev Milkha Singh's successor in Indian golf was fourth at 67, while Jyoti Randhawa, Shiv Kapur and Mukesh Kumar carded 68 each.

Jeev himself carded 69 and was lying tied eighth with Anirban Lahiri and Abhijit Chadha. Arjun Atwal shot 70. "The real business is next two days, but the scores were great today and the conditions excellent. More than anything the response to this event is overwhelming and I want to take it to next level, maybe Asian Tour," said Jeev. The second round will see Jeev go out with Atwal and Randhawa, while Chopra will play with Lahiri and Bhullar.

The draw has been made to ensure greater interest for spectators. Chopra, who has been in lead at various times over last two weeks in Thailand and Malaysia, carried on as he had a brilliant round with eight birdies, an eagle and two bogeys.

"It was great. It was a fantastic. I played well, drove nicely, and putted nicely, despite missing two putts inside three feet. It could have been a really low round," said Chopra, who was in top-10 last weeks and was in lead group on final day both times.

"With the shot gun start I can't remember where the birdies came, but the eagle was, I think, on 17. I had a mix of long and short putts. I missed a two-footer for birdie on 11th and missed a three-footer for par on 18th. The key here is driving straight and putting well," he added.

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