Han leads by a stroke in Chengdu
Source: Agencies |
April 22, 2011, Friday
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SOUTH Korea's Han Chang-won racked up six birdies on the front nine to take the first-round clubhouse lead by a stroke in the China Open yesterday.
Han shot an 8-under 64 at Luxehills International Country Club in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.
One stroke behind were Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin, England's James Morrison, Welshman Bradley Dredge and Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen.
Heavy mist in the morning led to an hour's delay in play, and 24 players will have to complete the round early today, including South Africa's Keith Horne at 7 under with four holes to go.
New Zealand's Steven Alker, South Korea's Choi Jin-ho and Spain's Sergio Garcia followed with bogey-free 66s.
Also at 6 under were Jeev Milkha Singh of India, Joost Luiten of the Netherlands, Richie Ramsay of Scotland, Fredrik Andersson Hed of Sweden, Gregory Havret of France, and Danny Lee of New Zealand.
Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington opened and closed with birdies but two bogeys left him with 71. Defending champion Y.E. Yang had five birdies against one bogey to finish at 68.
China's Liang Wenchong, also carded 68 with six birdies and two bogeys.
In Jakarta, Lee Westwood began his quest to regain the world No. 1 spot with a four-under 68 in the Indonesian Masters despite grappling with a belly putter.
Rankings
It could be a memorable 38th birthday on Sunday for the Briton, who will top the rankings if he lifts the title and compatriot Luke Donald fails to win at the Heritage tournament in South Carolina.
The Englishman boosted his prospects by firing five birdies and a lone bogey at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club for a share of eighth, two strokes behind Bangladesh's Siddikur Rahman. "I'll let things take their course and see what happens at the end of the week. Like I said before, I'm here to win a golf tournament," he told reporters.
Westwood, who was world No. 1 for 17 weeks until German Martin Kaymer replaced him in February, has struggled with his short game, finishing tied 11th at the US Masters this month, and reckoned the problem was not yet over. "I played solidly but I was a bit frustrated out there. It has been the story for me so far, hitting it great from tee to green and giving myself a lot of chances but not taking them," he said.
Westwood, who swapped his short putter for a longer one at Augusta, said he was still getting used to the belly putter.
"I've used the belly putter in two rounds at Augusta and it's the first time I'm using it here since 2004 so it needs some getting used to," he said.
The day belonged to Siddikur, who claimed to be overawed after being drawn with Westwood but showed no signs of it by firing a 66 to grab the opening round lead. "I saw the draw yesterday (Wednesday) and was feeling a bit excited playing with one of the best players in the world. I have to admit I felt a bit shaky this morning playing with Westwood," he said.
Siddikur was one shot ahead of a six-man chasing pack, which included Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng.
Han shot an 8-under 64 at Luxehills International Country Club in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.
One stroke behind were Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin, England's James Morrison, Welshman Bradley Dredge and Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen.
Heavy mist in the morning led to an hour's delay in play, and 24 players will have to complete the round early today, including South Africa's Keith Horne at 7 under with four holes to go.
New Zealand's Steven Alker, South Korea's Choi Jin-ho and Spain's Sergio Garcia followed with bogey-free 66s.
Also at 6 under were Jeev Milkha Singh of India, Joost Luiten of the Netherlands, Richie Ramsay of Scotland, Fredrik Andersson Hed of Sweden, Gregory Havret of France, and Danny Lee of New Zealand.
Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington opened and closed with birdies but two bogeys left him with 71. Defending champion Y.E. Yang had five birdies against one bogey to finish at 68.
China's Liang Wenchong, also carded 68 with six birdies and two bogeys.
In Jakarta, Lee Westwood began his quest to regain the world No. 1 spot with a four-under 68 in the Indonesian Masters despite grappling with a belly putter.
Rankings
It could be a memorable 38th birthday on Sunday for the Briton, who will top the rankings if he lifts the title and compatriot Luke Donald fails to win at the Heritage tournament in South Carolina.
The Englishman boosted his prospects by firing five birdies and a lone bogey at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club for a share of eighth, two strokes behind Bangladesh's Siddikur Rahman. "I'll let things take their course and see what happens at the end of the week. Like I said before, I'm here to win a golf tournament," he told reporters.
Westwood, who was world No. 1 for 17 weeks until German Martin Kaymer replaced him in February, has struggled with his short game, finishing tied 11th at the US Masters this month, and reckoned the problem was not yet over. "I played solidly but I was a bit frustrated out there. It has been the story for me so far, hitting it great from tee to green and giving myself a lot of chances but not taking them," he said.
Westwood, who swapped his short putter for a longer one at Augusta, said he was still getting used to the belly putter.
"I've used the belly putter in two rounds at Augusta and it's the first time I'm using it here since 2004 so it needs some getting used to," he said.
The day belonged to Siddikur, who claimed to be overawed after being drawn with Westwood but showed no signs of it by firing a 66 to grab the opening round lead. "I saw the draw yesterday (Wednesday) and was feeling a bit excited playing with one of the best players in the world. I have to admit I felt a bit shaky this morning playing with Westwood," he said.
Siddikur was one shot ahead of a six-man chasing pack, which included Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng.
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