Jeev shoots 74 as Tiger takes lead at the PGA Championship
By IANSFriday, August 14, 2009
HAZELTINE - Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, hoping to repeat his top-10 showing of 2008, opened with a modest two-over 74 in the first round of the 91st PGA Championship.
Jeev’s 74 Thursday placed him tied 69th after the first round and only top 70 will be going into the weekend rounds after the cut at the end of the second round. Jeev will need a decent second round to make it past the cut.
Jeev opened the day with a birdie on the first, but he quickly gave that back with a bogey on the fourth. However a birdie on the seventh saw him turn in one-under. But Jeev’s woes began on the tenth itself when he gave away another bogey to become even par.
Two other bogeys on 16th and 17th saw him end the day at 74 and in tied 69th place.
A good finish here could seal Jeev’s place in top-10 of the President’s Cup standings for the International team to be led by Greg Norman. Jeev is currently 11th and needs to overtake Rory Sabbatini, who holds the 10th place.
“One of the reasons this year’s PGA Championship assumes even more significance for me is because I am currently 11th on the International team standing for next month’s Presidents Cup. A good result would secure a top-10 place and an automatic qualification,” Jeev said on his blog.
“I have already stated my intense desire to be a part of this great event and experience the biennial team championship - our version of the Ryder Cup. Hopefully, I will seal issue and not have to depend on a call from captain Greg Norman,” said the affable Indian.
World No.1 Tiger Woods fired a five-under 67 to grab the opening round lead with defending champion Padraig Harrington one shot behind.
Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, the current Asian Tour No.1, continued to show his Major pedigree when he shot a two-under-par 70 for tied ninth place after the first round of the US PGA Championship Thursday.
Thongchai overcame an outward 38 by shooting four birdies on his homeward stretch at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota to lie three shots behind leader and Woods.
