Chiba (Japan), Par 2 (PTI) India’s Karandeep Kochhar carded a solid four-under 67 in the opening round to move into the top 10 on the leaderboard at the USD 2 million International Series Japan here on Thursday.

Kochhar is three shots behind leader Hongtaek Kim of Korea, who set the pace on the opening day with a superb seven-under 64.

Teeing off from the 10th, Kochhar made nine consecutive pars on his opening nine before his round came alive with four birdies on the 1st, 4th, 6th and 8th holes.

Indian stalwarts Jeev Milkha Singh (T-85) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (T-103) shot rounds of one-over 72 and two-over 73, respectively, and will need to work hard to stay in the mix on Friday.

Korea’s Kim leads compatriot Younghan Song and Thailand’s Poom Saksansin — both of whom carded fine 65s at the Caledonian Golf Club — by one stroke in the opening event of the season on The International Series.

The International Series is significant, as the leading players at the end of the season earn a place on the LIV Golf League.

Kim, who started on the 10th, made the most of the easier afternoon conditions, registering an eagle, six birdies and one bogey. PTI AM AM AH AH