Abu Dhabi: The Indian duo of SSP Chowrasia and Jeev Milkha Singh had a disappointing start to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championships as they carded 74 and 75 respectively on the opening day of the Middle East swing on the European Tour on Thursday.
Chowrasia, winner of the Avantha Masters in 2011, had one birdie against three bogeys, while Jeev, looking for his first win since 2008, had two bogeys, one double bogey and just one birdie in his round of 75 that place him 91st.
Chowrasia is 73rd. Both will need good second round performance to make the cut.
Rory McIlroy out-shone playing partners Tiger Woods and Luke Donald with a five-under 67.
McIlroy, the 22 year old US Open Champion took a share of the lead with Swede Robert Karlsson, while Woods shot a bogey-free 70 and world number one Donald a 71.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the opening day was the 77 by German Martin Kaymer, winner the last two years and three of the last four.
Kaymer was playing with Lee Westwood (72) and Sergio Garcia, whose 71 included the first hole-in-one of his European Tour career.
Woods was playing his first event since ending more than two years without a victory last month, but did not make the most of his chances and collected birdies only at the 11th - their second of the day - and short fourth, where he almost holed-in-one.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
