SSP Chowrasia tied 23rd at BMW PGA Championship

Indian golfer SSP Chowrasia endured a topsy-turvy start, carding a one-under 71 on the opening day to be tied 23rd in the BMW PGA Championship here.

The two-time winner on the Asian and European Tours, Chowrasia had an eventful round with five birdies and four bogeys.

India's other two challengers in the event, Gaganjeet Bhullar (74) and Jeev Milkha Singh (78) had a rough time in the first round. Bhullar was lying 77th and Jeev was 141st in cold and wet conditions.

James Kingston, playing on a sponsor's invite, made light of the cold and wet conditions at the Wentworth Club to take the first-round lead in the BMW PGA Championship with a sublime six-under 66.

He was one shot clear of Finn Mikko Ilonen and South African George Coetzee, with Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Scottish rookie Scott Henry and Austrian Martin Wiegele on four-under-par.

Chowrasia had a fine day off the tee finding the fairway on each of the 14 times and reached the green in regulation on 13 occasions. But he needed 31 putts to get through the day.

Bhullar had one birdie and three bogeys, while Jeev had two birdies, two bogeys and three double bogeys on a disastrous day.

Kingston finished with seven birdies and one bogey shortly before play was suspended.