Friday, September 1 2006 12:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Tokyo: Jeev Milkha Singh goes on a birdie spree after a none-too-good start to come one-under par 71 for the first round in the 150-million-yen Fujisankei Classic golf Thursday (31 Aug, 2006).

Jeev fires three birdies in last five holes on the last stretch in his first tournament on the Japanese Tour after more than a month.

The 34-year old is laying tied 21st at the 7,454 yards long Fujizakura Country Club.

Jeev beginning on the 10th tee opens with a bogey and has one more on 13th, before he makes up for both with back-to-back birdies on 14th and 15th.

However one more drops shot on 17th meant he turns in one-over. A bogey on third sees him go two-over, before he chalks up birdies on fifth, sixth and ninth to come one-under.

Nobuhiro Masuda, Shingo Katayama and Koichi Kashimura share the lead at five-under 66. Four others including Prayad Marksaeng and Fijian Dinesh Chand are at four-under 67.

Defending champion, Daisuke Maruyama, who records his first win in Japan at this event last year, shoots three-under 68 and is tied eighth.

He has had four top-10 finishes in US Tour this season.

Jeev is currently 19th on the Japan Tour Money List and has a superb record of six top-10 finishes in nine starts.

He is also leading the Money List on the UBS Asian Tour Order of Merit.