Twelve over for Sheva, but there were far worse rounds at the Ukranian Open

Andrei Shevchenko has completed his first round on the European Tour and while his 12 over leaves him trailing, there were some who had far more difficult rounds.

We highlighted earlier how the former Chelsea and AC Milan striker was bringing a bit more publicity to the Kharkov Superior Cup and is currently tied for 115th position of a field of 131 competitors, with some still on the course. Though he has 25 shots to spare on the poor lad propping up the rear. Not bad from Sheva, and certainly a whole pile better than Polish golfer Pawel Japol, languishing in last place after shooting a somewhat disappointing 37 over. Yes, 109 shots to get around the 18 holes, not helped by taking 13 shots at the par five 13th hole. We don’t know the word for that score, but it’s not good in any man’s language. Suddenly everyone in the JOE office feels a bit better about their own limited skills on the course. Fellow sporting all-rounder and former tennis player Yuvgeny Kafelnikov finished four shots better off than Shevchenko at eight over, but they will have their work cut out to catch the clubhouse leader Victor Riu. The Frenchman finished on eight under, two shots clear of Sihwan Kim. There was one Irishman in the field with Mike Kelly shooting an 87, which although is 15 over, is still an incredible 22 shots better off than poor old Pawel. Tomorrow is another day.