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Jeev gets into the money

Jeev Milkha Singh continued his impressive run in the European PGA Tour and looked all set to make his fourth successive cut after a fine opening round of three-under 68 in the $850,000 Euro Novotel Perrier French Open, which began at Golf du Medoc on Thursday.

At the par-71, 6,909 yard course, Jeev played a superb bogey free back nine while birding three holes, to be tied at the 15th spot after the first round. The Chandigarh-based pro exploited all the three par-5s of the course (the 2nd, 10th and 14th holes) and went on to add another birdie on the par-4 11th, according to reports.

Meanwhile, Jeev also became the first Indian to break into the top 100 of the World Money List. With his impressive performance in the European Tour (he finished second in the South African Open and third in the Alfred Dunhill SA PGA Championship, and was runner-up at the Kirin Open, a Japanese PGA Tour event), he has now earned $206,251, and moved to 89th place in the money list released in the first week of May.

Leading the French Open after 18 holes was Welshman Stephen Dodd at six-under 65. Dodd, who missed cut in all the eight events he played this year, was hounded by 29 players within three strokes.

However, it was a bad day for the star attractions of the tournament. Dean Robertson, winner last week at the Italian Open, finished eight-over to be tied for the bottom 155th place, while Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros, considered as the putting genius of the world, four-putted from six feet on the 17th hole and was marginally better placed than Robertson with six-over 77. Reigning Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal played one-over 72 for a joint 91st place.

Daniel Chopra, the other Indian interest in the tournament, was placed tied 67th after a level-par 71 round.