Defending champion Jeev Milkha Singh got off to a decent start, courtesy an opening round of one-under 69 that placed him tied third in the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup in Tokyo on Thursday.
Back at his happy hunting ground at the Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club where he had lifted the title to cap his fairytale season last year, Jeev began well, picking up a shot on the opening hole before a bogey on the fourth saw him make the turn at even-par.
On the back stretch, Jeev bogeyed the 10th and 16th but birdied the 12th, 14th and 17th holes to stay in hunt for his title defence.
Japanese Shingo Katayama impressed with an opening round of four-under 66 to grab sole lead even though he had Wen-Chong Liang breathing down his neck one shot behind.
Jeev was in a group of eight, huddling in third place, further two shots behind.