Fasth and Stadler lead in Shanghai
Vijay Singh birdied his final two holes for a five-under 67 and third place.
Shanghai, China - Niclas Fasth and Craig Stadler each fired rounds of eight-under-par 64 on Thursday to share the first-round lead of the HSBC Champions tournament at Sheshan International Golf Club.
This is the first event on the 2008 European Tour schedule and Fasth and Stadler put their names in the record books already. They matched the course record at Sheshan International Golf Club and share a three-shot lead after round one.
Vijay Singh birdied his final two holes for a five-under 67 and third place.
Phil Mickelson, the world No. 2, tallied five birdies and one bogey for a four-under 68, which tied him for fourth place.
“I really enjoy the golf course,” said Mickelson. “It’s a fun challenge and it’s in incredible shape. I hit some good shots to get off to a good start and I was three-under through four and just played steady there after. Hit some good shots, didn’t quite make as many birdies, but played a good, solid round for a good start.”
Fasth flew out of the gate with a birdie at the first and an eagle at the par- five second. He added birdies at five and eight to make the turn at five-under 31.
The Swede birdied the 11th, but dropped a shot at the par-four 13th. Fasth birdied three in a row from the 14th, including a seven-footer at the driveable, par-four 16th.
He missed a seven-foot birdie chance at the par-five closing hole that would have given him the course record.
“I was playing well and putting well,” said Fasth. “It’s a great start to the tournament. I was hitting perfect shots, and to make the birdies and eagles in this case, when I do hit good shots, it really sets me off on the right foot. I really just kept playing well.”
Stadler also got off to a great start on Thursday. He birdied his first three holes, then closed his front nine with three consecutive birdies to go out in an impressive 30 strokes.
Stadler bogeyed the 11th, but rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-four 13th. He made it two in a row with a birdie at the par-five 14th and trailed Fasth by one.
He elected to go for the green with his drive at the 16th and the ball rolled to the back fringe. Stadler lagged his eagle try to tap-in range and found himself tied for first place after the birdie.
Stadler had a good look at birdie at the 17th, but missed. He parred 18 to match Fasth in first.
“It was a great day,” said Stadler, who tied for 15th last week on the PGA Tour to finish 124th on the money list, thus earning his card for next season. “I felt very comfortable. It’s been very stressful just keeping my card in America.”
Major winners Padraig Harrington and Angel Cabrera both matched Mickelson at minus-four. Paul Casey, K.J. Choi, Ross Fisher, Andrew McLardy and Richard Sterne also tied for fourth place at 68.
Ernie Els struggled to a three-over 75 on Thursday and is part of a group tied for 67th place.
Defending champion Yong-eun Yang opened with a one-under 71 and is tied for 33rd.
Popularity: 2% [?]
