Arjun Atwal tied third after Indonesia Open round one

Arjun Atwal

Jakarta, Dec 4 (IANS)

Indian golfer Arjun Atwal bounced back from a slow start to end round one in tied third place while compatriots Rahil Gangjee and S.S.P. Chowrasia were a shot further behind in the BANK BRI Indonesia Open here Thursday.

Atwal, the 2003 Asian Tour number one and first Indian to win on the PGA Tour, got off to a slow start when he turned in 35 but bounced back with three birdies to finish day one with four-under-par 67 while Ganjee and Chowrasia were on three-under-par 68.

"I hit it pretty solid. I'm happy with my score and I have no complaints. I didn't take advantage of the early start. I didn't make a birdie after six holes but I stayed patient and tried to hole some putts," said Atwal.

"My game is getting better every week. I haven't played so many weeks in a row since the last two years. Every day I'm learning something new and I'm getting better every week."

"It is not like learning about the game but more about learning my personal habits. I haven't played tournament golf that much so I want to see what I'm doing under pressure and see where my misses are. I'm just trying to manage that. That's what I'm learning about myself," the Indian added.

Kalem Richardson of Australia fired a superb eight-under-par 63 to lead by one shot over Padraig Harrington of Ireland.

Richardson, who has two top-five results in his last three events, rolled in eight birdies, including a 20-footer on the last hole to steal the limelight from Harrington, who is making his debut at the $750,000 Asian Tour event.

Australia's Adam Groom battled through a leg infection to return with a 67 to tie for third place alongside Atwal, Thanyakon Khrongpha of Thailand and Bryce Easton of South Africa.