Indian golfer SSP Chowrasia got off to yet another steady start with a three-under 69 in the opening round of the 71st Italian Open presented by Damiani here.
Chowrasia, at tied 15th, was the best Indian among the four who started out.
Of the other Indians, Gaganjeet Bhullar shot two-under 70 to lie 26th, while Shiv Kapur carded one-over 73 and was tied 82nd. Jeev Milkha Singh struggled to a four-over 76 in tied 130th place.
Francesco Molinari grabbed the first round lead by taking a share of the six under par lead to make a great start to his bid to convince Paul McGinley to make him one of the three available Ryder Cup Captain's Picks.
Chowrasia birdied first, seventh, 13th and 15th holes and his sole error was a bogey on fourth. Bhullar parred the front nine and then birdied the 10th, 12th and 14th and his bogey came on 17th.
Kapur had four birdies, three bogeys and one double while Jeev had just two birdies against six bogeys.
