Nagoya (Japan), May 1 (IANS) Jeev Milkha Singh carded a first round of two-over 68 in his first appearance on the Japan Tour this year at the 120 million Yen Crowns tournament on the Nagoya Golf Club Wago Course Thursday. The card placed him in tied ninth place after the first round. Jeev, winner of the two tournaments in Japan in 2006, has been playing on European and Asian Tours and cut down his engagements in Japan. Last year he played four events in Japan and had two top-10 finishes including second place at the season-ending Golf Nippon Series JT Cup.

He opened his campaign with back-to-back birdies and then reeled in a series of pars till the par 4 12th, where he dropped his only shot of the day. He quickly made up with a birdie on 16th and closed with a 68.

Kiyoshi Miyazoto shared the opening round lead with fellow Japanese player Tatsuhiko Takahashi as both shot opening rounds of four-under 66 each. Six players including S.K. Ho, Chawalit Plaphol and Asian Tour No. 1 in 2007, Liang Wen Chong shot 67 each for tied third place.

Jeev shared the ninth place with nine others at 68 each.