Ace Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh shot a brilliant seven-under 64 in the opening round of the ¥120 million Acom International event on the Japanese PGA tour, but his effort was overshadowed by a record-breaking 12-under 59 by Masahiro Kuramoto of Japan.
According to information reaching New Delhi from the par 71 Ishioka Golf Club in Ibaraki, the 48 year-old Kuramoto became the first player in the history of the Japanese tour to break the 60 barrier.
The earlier record on the tour was in the name of NcBoru Fujiike who recorded an 11-under 60 in the opening round of the 1998 Mitsubishi Gallant Open.
Jeev, sponsored by Hero Honda, was tied for second place alongside another Japanese Mitsunori Harakawa. Jeev was in splendid form as he sank eight birdies as against one bogey.
"I am happy with the way I played but then Kuramoto played an unbelievable round. You only dream of breaking the six barrier," Jeev said from Ibaraki.
Kuramoto was unstoppable as he made 12 birdies, seven of them on the trot. "He must have been in a zone," Jeev said of the Japanese veteran.
The Indian started with birdies on the first and second holes and was three-under at the turn with another birdie on the par-5 fifth. On the back nine, the Chandigarh pro chipped in for his fourth birdie on the tenth, before recording his only bogey on the longest par-4 of the course, the 470 yard 12th.
Thereafter, Jeev went into overdrive and four consecutive birdies beginning from 14th ensured his best round of the season so far.
