IRVING, Texas, 14 May 2005 — Australian Stuart Appleby shrugged off his recent indifferent form to grab the first-round lead at the $5.8 million Byron Nelson Classic here on Thursday.
Appleby posted a seven-under 63 that included eight birdies and just 22 putts to claim a one-shot lead over South African Ernie Els, John Daly and Brett Wetterich.
Plenty of other big names were well within striking distance. Fiji’s Vijay Singh carded a 68, while Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson signed for 69.
South African Retief Goosen shot 70, and defending champion Sergio Garcia of Spain 71. Appleby, who was 30-over-par in his previous eight rounds, nevertheless said his score on the TPC at Four Seasons Resort, one of two courses in use for the event, didn’t surpise him.
“I play the PGA Tour,” he said. “That’s what you’re supposed to be able to do, isn’t it?
“If you got surprised by shooting a low score out here, you’d really want to evaluate your mental state.”
Appleby won the season-opening Mercedes Championship, but hasn’t done much since on the course.
Meanwhile, his wife gave birth to their first child in January, and Appleby amused himself away from the course by driving in a motor rally in Australia. Appleby had a bit of luck at the first, where he appeared to miss the green with his approach. When he got to the green, he found his ball was near the hole.
Els, who also played at the TPC, showed the form that saw him win by 13 strokes continued the fine form he displayed to win by 13 strokes in the BMW Asian Open in Shanghai two weeks ago.
Daly played at Cottonwood Valley, another par-70 course which played almost half a stroke easier than the TPC, and had no complaints about a round that included seven birdies and just one bogey, a three-putt at the final hole.
Friday the 13th Wreaks Havoc at British Masters
In Forest of Arden, England, Friday the 13th claimed a heavy toll in the second round of the wind-swept British Masters as England’s Brian Davis held a slender one-shot lead over three players.
Leaning hard on Davis are Thomas Bjorn, David Howell and Soren Hansen, all at three-under for the championship. With strong easterly winds reaching up to 25mph sweeping across the heavily wooded course, scores were sent ballooning as Europe’s finest attempted to save their blushes. Players ending under-par did not even reach double figures.
Davis, who began the day as joint leader, managed to grab sole lead thanks to a one-under 71 despite a triple bogey at the 17th — his eighth hole.
But the round of the day was claimed by Bjorn, who defied the conditions to shoot a stunning four-under 68.
Sorenstam Seeks to Start New Streak at Chick-fil-A
In Atlanta, Georgia, England’s Laura Davies had the lead on six-under 66, but Annika Sorenstam was in prime position Thursday after the first round of the LPGA’s $1.6 million- Chick-fil-A Charity Championship.
Sorenstam fired a five-under 67 to share second place, a good start to a week in which the Swedish superstar is seeking to start a new winning streak. Sorenstam, who won here in 2001, had her LPGA record-tying streak of five consecutive victories snapped last week by Cristie Kerr at the Michelob Ultra Open.
“I feel happy about my first round,” Sorenstam said. “I got off to a really hot start, made four birdies on my front nine — on the course back now — and then played solid coming in.
