Robert Allenby shot a seven-under 65 yesterday for a one-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai World Championship.
The 38-year-old Australian, who plays mainly on the US PGA Tour, had eight birdies and only one bogey on the Earth Course, which is hosting the US$7.5 million final event of the European Tour season.
Allenby was one shot ahead of England’s Lee Westwood, Chris Woods and Colombian Camilo Villegas, who all shot six-under 66s.
When the tournament ends on Sunday, the top player on the European Tour’s money list will win a US$1.5 million bonus from the new Race to Dubai.
Westwood, lying second in the race, was two shots ahead of money leader Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland.
■CAMBODIAN OPEN
AFP, SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA
Australia’s David Gleeson broke away from a bunched leaderboard to take the first-round lead at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open yesterday.
Gleeson, a two-time Asian Tour winner, shot a five-under 67, including a birdie at the 18th hole, to lead by one shot.
Filipino Artemio Murakami, Taiwan’s Lin Wen-hong, Malaysian Khor Kheng Hwai and Thai trio Pariya Junhasavasdikul, Annop Tangkamolprasert and Atthaphon Prathummanee share second place after shooting 68s at the Phokeethra Country Club.
Lin, who is the younger brother to five-time Asian Tour winner Wen-tang, fired a flawless outward nine from the 10th hole to make the turn in 31, but suffered one bogey coming home.
■DUNLOP PHOENIX
AFP, MIYAZAKI, JAPAN
Japan’s Kenichi Kuboya hit a six-under 65 to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Dunlop Phoenix yesterday.
Kuboya sank eight birdies against two bogeys for the lead over six Japanese, including Kiyoshi Miyazato, at the Phoenix Country Club course.
Steven Conran of Australia was the best foreign golfer, hitting a 69 to be tied at eighth place with five other Japanese.
Sweden’s Robert Karlsson was tied at 14th place with 16 golfers. Three-time major winner Vijay Singh of Fiji hit a 71.
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