CHANDIGARH, Nov 18: The Day One in the Rs 8 lakh Hero Golf Chandigarh Open belonged to local professional Amritinder Singh who gave a consistent display to return the best card five-under par 67.It was a brilliant start by the Omega Asian PGA Tour regular as Amrtinder recorded a hat-trick of birdies. He chipped with a 9-iron on the par-5 second hole and made a 10-feet putt for his first birdie. Amritinder followed it up with a 6-iron on par-3 third which landed just four feet of the cup. On the par-4 fourth, Amritinder pitched to two feet and made the putt to complete his hat-trick. His other birdies came on the ninth, 16th and 18th. The only stroke he dropped was on the fifth hole.Besides, Amritinder, Wills Southern Open and McDowell's Centennary Cup winner Shiv Parkash was the other professional who carded under-par. Current leader in the Order of Merit was closely following the leader with three-under par 69. Shiv Parkash drew applause for his eagle on the par-4 with a perfect 9-iron shot from 140-yard. He played par on the first seven holes but made a bogey on the eight where he three-putted from 20 yards. He recorded his other birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th but missed a stroke on the 18th.Strong contender Jeev Milkha Singh, the only Indian to qualify for the European PGA, missed a few easy chips and putts to card one over-par 73. On the ninth hole Jeev, with three-putt missed a birdie. He played one over par on the first nine while he had a par round on the next nine. His birdies were on the fifth, 12th and 16th while bogied on the fourth, sixth, ninth and 17th holes.Jeev was sharing third-placed alongwith Sanjay Kumar, Shiv Shankar Prasasd Chowrasia and Bunty Randhawa. Seasoned campaigner Rohtas Singh and Jumman were in a joint seventh place with an identical 74.Another local professional Amandeep Johl was satisfied with his three-over par 75. Bunched with world record holder of taking maximum number of Test wickets Kapil Dev Nikhanj, Johl who drove to Chandigarh with the former Indian cricket captain in the early hours, had a bad start by committing a double bogey on the first hole itself. ``After a disappointing start, I decided to take it easy and play cool. With a three-over card, I am satisfied with today's performance after a hectic journey,'' said Johl. Kapil played 12-over par 84.Manav Das led the amateurs with a four-over par 76. He was followed by Delhi's Jaideep Singh (78).Scores (after 18 holes): 67 Amritinder Singh; 69 Shiv Parkash; 73 Jeev Milkha Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia, Bunty Randhawa; 74 Rohtas Singh, Jumman; 75 Feroz Ali, Vijay Kumar, Toran Shahi, Devendra Patel, Devendrr Patel, Amandeep Johl.Amateurs: 76 Manav Das; 78 Jaiveer Singh; 79 Saurabh Bahuguna.
