Arjun Atwal [ Images ], the first Indian golfer to play in the USPGA, fired a scorching 68 in the first round of the five million-dollar Shell Houston Open in Houston, Texas, to finish joint third after Day One.

Leading the field was Australian Rodney Pampling with a six-under-par 66 one stroke ahead of American Chris Riley.

The four others sharing third place with Atwal were Stephen Ames (Canada [ Images ]), Lucas Glover, Frank Lickliter (both of USA) and South African Deanne Pappas.

Fijian Vijay Singh [ Images ], the only top-10 player in the tournament, opened with a 74.

Vijay, ranked second in the world, holds the tournament record with a 22-under 266 in 2002. He placed ninth in the tournament last year.