Greenville (US), May 16 (IANS) Arjun Atwal continuing his bid for full playing rights on the US PGA Tour next year, shot a fine three-under 69 in the first round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am on the Nationwide Tour in the US.

Atwal was five behind the leader Rick Price who fired an eight-under 64 at the Carolina Country Club here Thursday.

Atwal riding on two early birdies after starting on the back nine had birdies on the 11th and 12th but bogeyed the 16th. A birdie soon after on 17th saw him turn in two-under. On the second stretch he bogeyed the fifth but picked back to back birdies on sixth and seventh for a card of 69.