Jeev stranded, Atwal cards 73 in rain-swept Wyndham C'ship

Greensboro (US):

Jeev Milkha Singh was going steady at one-under with three holes to go when darkness left him stranded, while compatriot Arjun Atwal stares at missing yet another card after his opening round of three-over 73 in the rain-swept Wyndham Championship golf tournament here.

Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra carded three-under 67 to lie tied 18th, while the trio of Chez Reavie, Brandt Snedeker and Ryan Moore returned identical 64s to share the lead in the $5.1 million event at the Sedgefield Country Club.

As many as 78 players were yet to complete their opening round when play was abandoned after four hours of delay. Jeev had an ominous start to his round as the Indian got off with back-to-back bogeys that pushed him in the backfoot.

To his credit, Jeev ensured he was even-par by the turn, courtesy birdies on the fifth and ninth holes.

On his way back, Jeev looked in control of proceedings as he kept it bogey-free and had just birdied the 15th hole to go one-under when darkness dropped early curtains.

Atwal, on the other hand, continued to grope for his form since returning from his shoulder injuries.

The 10th tee starter had a disastrous bogey-double bogey start and even though he nailed back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, he double bogeyed the 18th to go three-over at the turn.

His back nine was comparatively a sedate affair with the third hole birdie followed by a bogey in the very next hole.