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FARO (Portugal), April 18: Fredrik Jacobson carded a course record of eight under par 64 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the EPGA Algarve Portuguese Open on Thursday.
The 28-year-old Swede sits two shots ahead of England’s Greg Owen with Scotland’s Andrew Coltart down in 71 and England’s Lee Westwood a further ten shots off the pace on a disappointing 81.
Jacobson’s efforts, which knocked two strokes off the Vale do Lobo record, came as a bit of a surprise — especially as he is returning from a 10-week lay-off due to a wrist injury.
Owen, sitting solo on an impressive 66, was one of only four players who managed to beat 70 on what is considered a tough course — and one which failed to inspire Westwood.
Sitting three shots behind are Bradley Dredge and Carlos Rodiles. One of the biggest surprises of the day however was Westwood’d 81, which included a quadruple bogey eight on the 470-yard first, his 10th of the day.
Leading first round scores (Britain unless stated):
64 — Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden).
66 — Greg Owen.
69 — Carlos Rodiles (Spain), Bradley Dredge.
70 — Graeme McDowell, Gustavo Rojas (Argentina), Euan Little, Brian Davis, Van Phillips.
71 — Anders Hansen (Denmark), Klas Eriksson (Sweden), Philip Walton (Ireland), Mark Roe, Marcel Siem (Germany), Lee S. James, David Lynn, Andrew Coltart.
72 — Jorge Berendt (Argentina), Paul Broadhurst, Alastair Forsyth, Rolf Muntz (Netherlands), Jonathan Lomas, Jesus Maria Arruti (Spain), Charl Schwartzel (South Africa), Gordon Brand Jnr, James Kingston (South Africa), Barry Lane, David Carter, Jamie Donaldson, Steve Webster, Richard Sterne (South Africa).
HILTON HEAD (South Carolina): Craig Barlow made a radical swing adjustment midway through the first round of The Heritage on Thursday and the dividends were immediate.
Barlow finished the day with a six-under-par 65 and a one-stroke lead in the $4.5 million event over world number four Davis Love III and Australia’s John Senden.
Rocco Mediate former PGA champion Hal Sutton and Australia’s Greg Chalmers are among 10 players tied for third on four-under 67.
Ernie Els finished on two-under 69 and is tied for 27th. Barlow was two-over at the mid-point, with three bogeys and a single birdie.
Leading first round scores (US unless stated):
65 — Craig Barlow.
66 — Davis Love III, John Senden (Australia).
67 — Rocco Mediate, Kenny Perry, David Sutherland, Greg Chalmers (Australia), Scott Simpson, Chad Campbell, Tom Pernice Jr, Hal Sutton, Rod Pampling (Australia), Stewart Cink.
68 — Brandt Jobe, Steve Flesch, Tim Clark (South Africa), Jay Williamson, Geoff Ogilvy (Australia), Jeff Sluman, Len Mattiace, Matt Kuchar, Nick Price (Zimbabwe), Todd Barranger, Kelly Mitchum, Woody Austin, Steven Alker (New Zealand).
Other international players:
69 — Ernie Els (South Africa), Carl Pettersson (Sweden), Glen Hnatiuk (Canada).
70 — Darren Clarke (Britain), Thomas Levet (France).
71 — Fulton Allem (South Africa), Bernhard Langer (Germany).
72 — James McLean (Australia), Jose Coceres (Argentina), Ian Leggatt (Canada), Trevor Immelman (South Africa).
73 — Jesper Parnevik (Sweden), Brian Watts (Canada), Per-Ulrik Johansson (Sweden), Luke Donald (Britain).
74 — David Frost (South Africa), Alex Cejka (Germany).
76 — Michael Campbell (New Zealand).
77 — Brenden Pappas (South Africa).
79 — Esteban Toledo (Mexico).—AFP/Reuters
