BEIJING, 23 April 2005 — Australia’s Adam Scott fired a course-record 63 to set the pace at the wind-disrupted Johnnie Walker Classic yesterday but he faced a late challenge from world No. 5 Retief Goosen.

Scott, leading at three under par when heavy gusts forced play to be suspended on Thursday, rose before dawn to complete an eye-opening first round with four more birdies and an eagle.

US Open champion Goosen, New Zealander Michael Campbell and Sweden’s Peter Hanson matched his nine-under-par score for a share of the lead -- but only after playing 36 holes to make up for lost time.

Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol was a shot further back on eight under when fading light ended his second round after 17 holes.

Campbell, who shot a seven-under-par second round, said Scott was still the man to beat.

“If he doesn’t go crazy we’ve got a chance,” said Campbell. “That’s a great score he shot today and yesterday.

“It was a freak round. I think nine-under in these conditions was very, very good so it all depends on what Scotty does tomorrow.”

Goosen complained he had been plagued by snap-happy Chinese spectators as he went round the Pine Valley course with Thomas Bjorn and Zhang Lian-Wei.

“It was a long day as we struggled with the spectators and photographers and after nine we managed to get someone who could speak Chinese and managed to tell them to stop using cameras,” said the South African, who carded a 68 and 67.

Meanwhile Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie admitted fatigue was setting in as he closed his 36-hole day on six-under 138 to remain in contention.

Further delays are possible in the 2.3 million tournament joint-sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australasian tours, with lightning and torrential rain forecast for today.

Singh Takes Early Command of Houston Open

In Houston, Texas, Vijay Singh opened the defense of his Houston Open title in record style on Thursday, firing a flawless eight-under-par 64 to grab the first round lead at the Redstone Golf Club.

Playing his first event since the U.S. Masters, the world No. 2 closed out his bogey-free round with birdies on three of his final four holes to match the course record and take a one-shot lead over Australians Gavin Coles and Brendan Jones.

“It sets up for longer hitters if you’re hitting the ball straight,” Singh said.

“Today was a great example. I drove the ball pretty straight and pretty long.

“When you do that, you have a lot of looks at the holes for birdies.

A winner at Houston in two of last three years, Singh’s start was 10 shots better than his opening round of 12 months ago as he bids to become the first back-to-back winner of one of the PGA Tour’s oldest events.

His two-stroke victory over Scott Hoch last year provided the spark that ignited one of the greatest seasons in golf history as Singh went on to claim nine titles, over $10 million and the No. 1 world ranking from Tiger Woods. It was an afternoon of celebration for Singh, who spent the day fielding congratulatory calls from fellow professionals and friends after it was announced on Wednesday that the Fijian had become the latest and youngest inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

“Things like that don’t just sink in,” he said.

“It’s a great feeling to have, but I think in weeks and months from now, it’s going to be a really big deal for me.