Syndicated Thumbnail Navigation player featuring a selection of clips taken from Golf Bug TV. For use on the Golf Today website. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1175881076http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=495713462 RELATED STORIES Mahan & Casey lead, Tiger a shot back at WGC Nilsson leads with opening 65 in Moscow Steve Flesch tops Reno-Tahoe leaderboard Liang to play alongside Singh and Toms Liang looks for winning spark at Firestone Choi takes comfort in first Open top ten ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Open: Pain for Choi as Harrington defends Open: Closing 74 gives Liang more major hopes Open: Tough Open makes Lam eye Asian success Open: Angelo Que means to learn and return Open: Late bogies mean early exit for Prayad IGF forms Olympic Committee with eye to 2016 Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Padraig Harrington hungry for more success Michelle Wie to play on PGA Tour again IGF forms 2016 Olympic Committee Greg Norman proud of achievement Ian Poulter impressive with second place Henrik Stenson happy with his best ever finish

Choi four behind as Liang struggles at WGC

Korea’s Choi Kyung-ju carded a one-over-par 71 in the opening round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational to lie four shots off the lead on Thursday.

The Asian Tour graduate endured a mixed bag at Firestone Golf Club in Ohio, United States as he swapped four birdies against three bogeys and one double bogey. A trio of players, Hunter Mahan, Paul Casey and Rory Sabbatini share the lead on 67 with defending champion Tiger Woods lurking a stroke back.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit champion last season, battled to a 72 to share 38th place in the elite 84-man field. Singh shot two birdies against four bogeys.

Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, exempted into the event from his win at last season’s Volvo Masters of Asia, shot a 73 which was matched by Korea’s Yang Yong-eun.

It was a difficult start for Liang Wen-chong of China as he scrambled to a 75. His playing partners, Vijay Singh and David Toms – both major winners – also struggled home with a 74 and 76 respectively on a tough scoring day. South African Anton Haig, currently second on the UBS Order of Merit, carded a 77.

In the Reno-Tahoe Open, Korea’s Charlie Wi continued his recent run of good form on the US PGA Tour when he shot a 66 for tied fifth place. He is three shots behind first round leader Steve Flesch, a former Malaysian Open champion.

Australian Jarrod Lyle, battling to keep his card for next season where he needs to improve on his current 189th ranking on the money list, shot a 67 to enjoy a good start.
On the Nationwide Tour, Arjun Atwal rode a five-birdie streak to bring in a 66 and lie 14th on a crowded leaderboard at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open. Atwal, who tops the putting averages on the Nationwide Tour, needed just 22 putts for the round at the Crestview Country Club.

The former Asian Tour number one was four shots behind leader Nicholas Thompson, who shot a flawless 62 to take a two-stroke lead after the opening round.

In Japan, Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol carded a 71 in the opening round of the Sun Chlorella Classic to lie just two off the pace from Jun Kikuchi. New Zealander Eddie Lee shot a 73 while Frankie Minoza of the Philippines was a further stroke back.

In the Russian Open, Australian veteran Peter Fowler enjoyed a solid start with a 70 in the opening round for tied 12th place, five shot behind leader Christian Nilsson. Thailand’s Prom Meesawat enjoyed a 71, as did Australian Scott Strange.

Prom needs several good finishes to earn his European Tour card as he is currently lying in 117th place on the Order of Merit, with the top-115 players earning playing rights for 2008.

August 3, 2007