Rayong(Thailand): Shiv Kapur carded a sparkling seven-under 66 to shoot up to the joint lead in the inaugural 300,000 dollar Double A International Open at the St Andrews Hill Golf Club.
Shiv, who notched up four top 10 finishes in his last five outings, had a rather average start as he bogeyed the second hole before compensating with a birdie on the third.
The Indian, sharing the lead with Kenny Walker of Scotland, showcased his talent as he shot a treble of birdies on the seventh, eight and ninth hole before completing his halfway journey.
His bogey-free back nine proved even better. He shot birdies on the 11th and 14th hole and then signed off in style with back-to-back birdies in the last two holes.
"I started badly but was undeterred as I went on to shoot some nice birdies," Kapur said.
"I am very pleased as I have always worked my way up in previous events but today I managed to complete the round on top. It is only the first round but I hope to continue with three more solid performances for a good outing," he added.
The gold medallist in the 2002 Asian Games, in fact, could have finished as the sole leader but for a missed five-foot eagle putt.
"That would have been nice. I got distracted and should have backed off but never mind, seven under is a good score," he said.
The Indian trio of Harmeet Kahlon, Ashok Kumar and Rahil Gangjee carded an identical two-under 71 to finish tied 20th while three other Indians -- Arjun Singh, Amandeep Johl and Digvijay Singh -- are tied 46th after level-par 73 round.
Gaurav Ghei, who finished second best in the Indian Open last week, had a poor one-over 74 which earned him the tied 65th place.
The Indian hit a couple of birdies on the 13th and 15th but bogeys on the third, 11th and 15th holes pulled him back.
Vivek Bhandari carded two-over 75, one stroke ahead of compatriot Firoz Ali, while Uttam Singh Mundy had a horrendous five-over 78 to finish way down the leaderboard at tied 118th.
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