India's star players Shiv Kapur and Anirban lahiri endured a tough day and a sprinkling of three-putts during their modest first round outing at the US Open golf tournament.Kapur, playing for the second year running at the US Open, carded a two-over 72 after being three-over after just six holes. He was tied 52nd. Overall he had three birdies between ninth and 16th against five bogeys.
lahiri had a tougher day with a five-over 75 that put him in a grave danger of missing the cut at 123rd place. lahiri dropped a double bogey, five other bogeys and had just two birdies in his 75.Incidentally also tied at 52nd was Rory McIlroy, with two birdies against four bogeys.After two pars, Kapur three-putted from 40 feet on the par-3 third for his first bogey. He made further bogeys on fifth and sixth. But he staged a great fight back from there to pick birdies on ninth with a lovely tee shot on the par-3 and holed from seven feet.
Another birdie came on 12th and then came two more disappointing bogeys on 14th and 15th. A bogey on 14th was followed by a visit to greenside bunker on 15th and that was another bogey. A minor consolation was a 30-foot birdie on 17th.Kapur, who was tied 23rd last year, said: "I did fight back with birdies on ninth and 12th, but gave them away with some three-putts and I missed some really small ones. I am still in there with a fight and I need to make it happen in the second round."
lahiri had birdies on 12th and 17th against one double and five bogeys."I had a very rough stretch from sixth to 10th (a double and three bogeys) with a couple of three-putts. I tried to push on back nine but never got any momentum," lahiri said.On the greens, he added: "The conditions were easier in the morning but I played in the afternoon, so I am hoping I can take advantage in the second round. Also I hope the rain stays away."
Of the other Asian Tour representatives at the event, Masahiro Kawamura of Japan and Cameron Smith of Australia battled through to return with an even-par 70 and were placed tied 26th.Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee was a further shot back alongside Marcus Fraser of Australia.