Griffin leads elite pack at Aussie Open
Source: Agencies |
December 3, 2010, Friday
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MATTHEW Griffin has shot a 7-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Australian Open at The Lakes in Sydney.
Griffin, whose longtime caddie Peter Beck died suddenly about a month ago, had seven birdies yesterday on some forgiving greens after a large amount of rain on the course the previous day.
He had a one-stroke lead over John Senden and was two strokes clear of Alistair Presnell.
Australian Masters champion Stuart Appleby, Geoff Ogilvy, Peter Senior, Marc Leishman and Rod Pampling - all Australians - were among a group of nine players at 4 under.
American John Daly was in a share of 13th place after carding 69, while five-time champion Greg Norman opened with a 74.
Daly said the course, which had undergone a number of changes, trees removed for a more exposed front nine, and more undulations on the greens, played well.
"The course is in great shape," Daly said. "The fairways are perfect, it didn't even look like it rained. It's a tribute to how they re-did the irrigation here.
"I don't have mud on my shoes or anything. That's pretty impressive after all the rain we've had."
Norman set up a birdie at the par-5 14th hole from an unlikely position. From out of the sand and with an awkward stance, Norman hit a rescue club about 200 meters over the water and two-putted for birdie, drawing applause from playing partner and 2011 Presidents Cup rival captain Fred Couples, who shot 72.
But Norman had a double-bogey seven at the eighth, his 17th hole of the day.
Griffin had no such problem.
"Almost the most pleasing thing is not having any bogeys," Griffin said. "Standing over the little three-footer at the last, I was really feeling it.
But, "You've got to take advantage of the nice conditions in the morning."
In New Delhi, Kim Hyung-sung made it a memorable first visit to the US$1.25 million Hero Honda Indian Open by taking the first round lead with a flawless five-under-par 67.
The 30-year-old, who has struggled with a shoulder injury for most of the year, shot five birdies at the venerable Delhi Golf Club to lead by one from Asian Tour newcomers Namchok Tantipokakul of Thailand and Korea's Baek Seuk-hyun, Australia's Marcus Both and in-form South African Jbe Kruger. Sanjay Kumar was India's best performer, also with a 68, in what is the joint richest full field Asian Tour event.
The tournament's big guns, Shiv Kapur and Arjun Atwal of India, Sweden's Daniel Chopra and Irish star Paul McGinley failed to take advantage of ideal scoring conditions.
A bogey free card ensured that Kim hogged the opening day's limelight.
"It's my first time to India and after today's good score, I think I like this course," smiled Kim, who has three wins in Korea.
Griffin, whose longtime caddie Peter Beck died suddenly about a month ago, had seven birdies yesterday on some forgiving greens after a large amount of rain on the course the previous day.
He had a one-stroke lead over John Senden and was two strokes clear of Alistair Presnell.
Australian Masters champion Stuart Appleby, Geoff Ogilvy, Peter Senior, Marc Leishman and Rod Pampling - all Australians - were among a group of nine players at 4 under.
American John Daly was in a share of 13th place after carding 69, while five-time champion Greg Norman opened with a 74.
Daly said the course, which had undergone a number of changes, trees removed for a more exposed front nine, and more undulations on the greens, played well.
"The course is in great shape," Daly said. "The fairways are perfect, it didn't even look like it rained. It's a tribute to how they re-did the irrigation here.
"I don't have mud on my shoes or anything. That's pretty impressive after all the rain we've had."
Norman set up a birdie at the par-5 14th hole from an unlikely position. From out of the sand and with an awkward stance, Norman hit a rescue club about 200 meters over the water and two-putted for birdie, drawing applause from playing partner and 2011 Presidents Cup rival captain Fred Couples, who shot 72.
But Norman had a double-bogey seven at the eighth, his 17th hole of the day.
Griffin had no such problem.
"Almost the most pleasing thing is not having any bogeys," Griffin said. "Standing over the little three-footer at the last, I was really feeling it.
But, "You've got to take advantage of the nice conditions in the morning."
In New Delhi, Kim Hyung-sung made it a memorable first visit to the US$1.25 million Hero Honda Indian Open by taking the first round lead with a flawless five-under-par 67.
The 30-year-old, who has struggled with a shoulder injury for most of the year, shot five birdies at the venerable Delhi Golf Club to lead by one from Asian Tour newcomers Namchok Tantipokakul of Thailand and Korea's Baek Seuk-hyun, Australia's Marcus Both and in-form South African Jbe Kruger. Sanjay Kumar was India's best performer, also with a 68, in what is the joint richest full field Asian Tour event.
The tournament's big guns, Shiv Kapur and Arjun Atwal of India, Sweden's Daniel Chopra and Irish star Paul McGinley failed to take advantage of ideal scoring conditions.
A bogey free card ensured that Kim hogged the opening day's limelight.
"It's my first time to India and after today's good score, I think I like this course," smiled Kim, who has three wins in Korea.
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