Johl tied 24th in Macau

Amandeep Johl led one of India's largest ever contingents in an Asian Tour event outside India with a one-under 70, a score also shot by Uttam Singh Mundy and Rahil Gangjee as the Macau Open got underway on Thursday.

There are as many as 13 Indians in the fray but the opening day belonged to a Chinese player, Zheng Wen-gen, who shot a six-under 65 to share the lead with Australian Marcus Both in the US $275,000 tournament.

Most expected Zhang Lian wei, the better known 'Zhang', to excel, but it was the other one, who shot seven birdies and one bogey for a great round.

Favourite Zhang Lian wei, winner in Macau in 2001 and 2002, endured a sluggish front half of 37 before roaring home with three birdies to end his day four off the pace.

Chinese Taipei duo Wang Ter-chang and Lu Wei-lan ended the day a stroke back while defending champion Jason Knutzon was amongst those sharing fifth place following a 67, and he must have enjoyed the pleasure of outscoring playing partner and former Masters winner Fred Couples by one stroke.

Johl had a roller coaster of a round with five birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey. He had two birdies on the front nine, were he also had a double bogey and on the back nine, he dropped a shot on tenth, but birdied 13th, 16th and 17th.

Gangjee also had five birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey. Uttam Singh Mundy, who has not got enough starts this year because of his low placing last year and missing out in the Q-School, had a steadier round with three birdies and two bogey for his 70.

Four Indians shot level rounds of 71 each and they included Harmeet Kahlon, who has been struggling this year.

Also getting a par round were the Delhi trio of Gaurav Ghei, Shiv Kapur and Arjun Singh.

Mukesh Kumar, making an appearance on Asian Tour after a long time, managed only two over 73, one behind Firoz Ali, another veteran on Indian tour.

Sandy Lehal, who turned pro only a few weeks ago got into the event late and carded two over 73, the same as city-mate Gurbaaz Mann from Chandigarh. Vivek Bhandari and Digvijay Singh went three-over 74 each.

The day belonged the 38-year-old Zhang, who like his namesake was amongst the pioneers of professional golf in China. But while Zhang has soared to international fame with five career victories on the Asian Tour which includes wins over Els, Nick Price and Colin Montgomerie, Zheng has struggled, missing 21 cuts in 29 appearances in Asia since 1997.

Leading first round scores: 65 - Marcus Both (AUS), Zheng Wen-gen (CHN), 66 - Lu Wei-lan (TPE), Wang Ter-chang (TPE), 67 - Suk Jong-yol (KOR), Terry Pilkadaris (AUS), Jarrod Lyle (AUS), Jason Knutzon (USA) (pictured), Jason Dawes (AUS), Pornsakon Tipsanit (THA), 68 - Ron Won (USA), Gilberto Morales (VEN), Corey Harris (USA), Ross Bain (SCO), Fred Couples (USA).

INDIAN SCORES: 70 - Amandeep Johl, Rahil Gangjee, Uttam Singh Mundy (all tied 24th); 71: Harmeet Kahlon, Gaurav Ghei, Shiv Kapur and Arjun Singh (all tied 37th); 72: Firoz Ali (tied 56th); 73: Gurbaaz Mann, Sandy Lehal, Mukesh Kumar (all tied 70th); 74: Digvijay Singh and Vivek Bhandari (all tied 91st).