Bhullar tied 36th after even-par round in Macau

Macau: Gaganjeet Bhullar squandered a brilliant start to settle for a level-par round of 71 to lie tied 36th as none of the Indians could bring home a sub-par card in the first round of the $500,000 Asian Tour golf tournament.

Playing his back nine first, Bhullar took the turn at four-under before the front nine came to bite him. In this stretch, Bhullar managed one birdie before a bogey treble and the fifth hole double bogey undid the good work.

One shot behind Bhullar at tied 50th was Kolkata pro Rahil Gangjee who mixed three birdies and four bogeys in his round.

Among other Indians in the fray, Vikrant Chopra (73) lie tied 68th, one shot ahead of compatriots Digvijay Singh and C Muniyappa who share the 80th place.

Further three shots behind were the Indian duo of Himmat Rai and Anirban Lahiri, both set to miss the cut after carding 77 in their opening round.

Australian Peter Cooke, who works as a baggage handler at the Adelaide Airport, fired an impressive five-under 66 to seize the first round lead.

Breathing down his neck one shot behind was compatriot Andrew Dodt, South African Keith Horne and 10-time Asian Tour winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, who returned matching 67s.