Shiv Kapur T7 in Shanghai after R1

Edited by Anand Datla

April 24, 2015: Shiv Kapur got off to a promising start for a second week in a row, when he shot 70 in the first round of the China Open. The Indian showed great promise today, when he fought back from despair to work his way back after the course had threatened to destroy his card.

Having started on the 10th hole, Kapur fell quickly off the rails. He made a hat-trick of bogeys starting at the 14th to slip down the pecking order. But a terrific recovery on the second nine saw him climb straight back into the top section of the leaderboard.

Kapur made an impressive five birdies on the first through ninth holes to sign off in style, needing just 31 shots to cover his second nine. SSP Chawrasia though had a forgettable day, shooting 4-over 76 to slip out of the top 100.

A double bogey at the ninth and three other bogeys caused more damage than could be addressed by a solitary birdie. His lone success of the round came at the par-5 second hole. He has a mountain to climb on Friday to try and make the cut.

England’s David Howell was pleased to continue his excellent start to the year as he grabbed a share of the first round lead at the Volvo China Open. Already a runner-up in Johannesburg this season and fourth in last week’s Shenzhen International, the former Ryder Cup star compiled a four under par 68 at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club in Shanghai to join Wales’ Bradley Dredge and New Zealand’s Michael Hendry at the top of the leaderboard.

While Dredge and Hendry produced flawless rounds in the morning, 39 year old Howell had to contend with a slight breeze in the afternoon and an opening birdie was cancelled out by a dropped shot at the third.

Having reached red figures again with a gain at the ninth, Howell converted a chance from eight feet at the 11th, chipped to two feet at the 13th, and saved the best for last by holing a 40-footer on the 17th.

“I drove the ball beautifully today, really found my rhythm on the range and took it out onto the course so I kept the ball in play well and did a lot of things right,” informed an evidently delighted Howell. “There was a decent breeze out there, but really it’s the firmness of the greens that is making it difficult for everyone. The greens are in great condition and you’ve really got to think your way round.”

Defending champion Alex Levy was one behind the leaders after a three under par, alongside fellow Frenchman Julien Quesne and Australian Marcus Fraser.

Follow Us: Twitter.com/GolfingIndian

Join Us: Facebook.com/GolfingIndian

Download Our APP Here