Wind causes problems at Taiwan Open

Three players made the most of blustery conditions yesterday to tie for the lead after the first round of the US$300,000 Acer Taiwan Open.

Myanmar's Kyi Hla Han, Australia's Kim Felton and Clay Devers of the US were all level with scores of 72 on the Sunrise Golf and Country Club's par-72 course in Taoyuan.

Taiwan's Hsu Mong-nan (許孟男) was in fourth place -- one shot behind the joint leaders -- after shooting a creditable 1-over-par 73, after 18 holes.

Last year's winner, Andrew Pitts double bogied the 18th hole, but otherwise played a solid round and finished three shots off the pace at 75.

His playing partner, South African legend Gary Player, managed a 7-over-par 79 to find himself placed in the middle of the field, with India's Arjun Atwal one shot behind.

Player said he was pleased with his performance but had difficulties on the 10th and 13th holes. "They were difficult conditions. Even if you got off a good shot, it could still go wrong."

Pitts said he enjoyed playing with veterans Player and Taiwan's Hsieh Min-nan (謝敏男) as it took the pressure off his own game.

Asked whether he preferred conditions this year or last year, when it rained, he said, "Last year the rain made it more like a putting contest as the conditions made it equal for everyone.

"But I would choose conditions this year because it separates the players more. If you make a bad shot when it's windy then you will have to pay for it."

All the players had to deal with swirling winds whatever time they teed off, which affected driving and put a premium on chipping and putting.

Kyi Hla Han -- who was Asia's best player in 1999 -- made par 12 times, with three birdies and three bogies, one of them on the treacherous hole nine, on which he took six shots.

Asian PGA tour players, Felton and Devers equaled Kyi Hla Han with three birdies and 12 pars each, but Felton double bogied the sixth hole.

Australian Peter Senior was one of the first players back in the club house, scoring a 6-over-par 78.

"Wind is the biggest killer in golf," he said. "We can put up with just about everything else: heat, cold and rain.

"But when it's blowing like this the guys suffer most. You can even hit good shots and end up with bogies."

The 43-year-old said, "Just about anybody in the field can win this week if the weather stays like this. If the weather had been a little gentler you would have seen the more well known names at the top."

The Acer Taiwan Open continues today and tomorrow and will finish on Sunday.