VOLVO MASTERS RELATED STORIES Volvo Masters of Asia Home Page Volvo Masters of Asia Preview Round 1: Prayad drives ahead as Thais dominate Round 1: Kapur stuck in first gear Round 2: Thongchai takes halfway lead Round 2: Many Happy Returns for Singh Round 2: Amateur Choo enjoys outing with Singh Round 3: Thongchai cruises to two shot lead Round 3: Wi has his sights set on a Volvo Round 4: Thongchai triumphs and maintains streak Round 4: Kapur vows to return Final Scores & Prize Money More about the Thai Country Club A look at the leading contenders Still plenty to play for in Bangkok Jeev is a fighter, says caddie Rookies going for glory at Volvo Masters Singh aiming for third Volvo victory Refreshed Kapur primed for Volvo Masters Thaworn out to end his season with a win Prom promises fighting display at Volvo Buckle seeks perfect finish at Volvo Masters Volvo takes the train in Bangkok Liang seeks winning edge at Volvo Masters Racer Yates wants fast finish at Volvo Masters Thongchai looking to maintain six year streak Top amateurs to debut at Volvo Masters of Asia Volvo Masters of Asia gets prize fund boost ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Ben Leong claims maiden victory PGA: Jeev and Wi tie for ninth Prom targets Thai win in Brunei Shin Ji-yai takes Women's British Open Asian Tour starts 2nd half on a high Norman to play 2009 Johnnie Walker Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Villegas seals maiden PGA win Lucquin beats McIlroy in a playoff PGA Tour season to end in anti-climax LPGA back track on English policy Fallout continues over LPGA "English" rule Tommy Bolt dies aged 92

Kapur stuck in first gear in round one

India’s Shiv Kapur made a stuttering start to his first ever defence of a title in the US$650,000 Volvo Masters of Asia at Thai Country Club on Thursday.

Kapur conquered the course with some exquisite shotmaking on his way to victory last year but could not repeat the feat in an up and down opening round.

He had three bogeys in the opening five holes before recovering well on the back nine to finish with a level par 72, five strokes adrift of leader Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand.

“Overall it was not a good day. I got off to a bad start (with three bogeys in the opening five holes). I tried to stick in there and in the end managed to shoot even par (thanks to two birdies in the last five holes). That keeps me in there with a chance,” said Kapur, who is currently ranked eighth on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit.

Kapur laid the blame for his disappointing start on his chipping and putting but felt there was nothing much wrong with his game.

“My short game was not really up to the mark today. I could not get it up and down. My swing felt good all the way through so that is positive. A bit of work on my chipping this afternoon and I should be okay,” he said.

“The wind was strong today and the greens are firming up which makes it tough to get close to the pins, especially when they are at the front of the green.”

Despite his relatively poor start, Kapur was full of praise for the Thai Country Club course which the players admitted was set up tougher than last year.

“For a first day the pins were tough,” said Kapur. “But that is how it should be for a Tour Championship. “Anytime you miss the greens you have your work cut out to make par which is the mark of a good golf course.”

December 14, 2006