>> ASIAONE / NEWS / LATEST NEWS / SPORTS / STORY
Golf: Birdie-fest as Gleeson leads in Macau
Thu, Oct 23, 2008
AFP

MACAU - Australia's David Gleeson blasted seven birdies on the way to a one-stroke lead in the opening round of the Macau Open on Thursday.

Gleeson a seven-under-par 64 to lead Thai duo Wisut Artjanawat and Udorn Duangdecha and Taiwanese brothers of Lin Wen-tang and Lin Wen-hong, who were all tied for second at the Macau Golf and Country Club.

"My goal is to win by as many shots as I can but if it doesn't work out that way, I will still go at it. I will adopt an aggressive approach here unless the weather makes a difference," Gleeson said.

In-form Australian Darren Beck, who finished runner-up at the Indian Open two weeks ago, carded a 66 to lie in joint sixth place in the 500,000-dollar Asian Tour event.

Beck lay alongside Taiwan's Wang Ter-chang and Kao Bo-song, Welshman Rhys Davies and Thailand's Wittawat Sae-ung.

Playing under calm conditions in the opening round, Gleeson was pleased to find his rhythm.

"It was a good start for me. I didn't make the putts but I stayed patient out there which was the key," he said.

"I kept my rhythm going throughout the day and fired seven birdies without dropping a single shot which was nice. When I play like this, I expect the scores to go down even lower.

"It wasn't fireworks out there but just a normal day of golf."

After a top-five performance at last month's Taiwan Masters, Thailand's Wisut was also in the birdies, nailing six with no bogeys.

"I've been with my new coach Shane Wilding and he has been instrumental in changing my swing. I am much more consistent now and in my first week with him, I finished in the top five at the Taiwan Masters," he said.

"That is great and I'm very happy with my performance at the moment. My putting was solid and I enjoyed a good finish with birdies in the last two holes," said the 26-year-old Wisut.

Defending champion Lu Wen-teh posted a 70 and was in a tie for 47th place.

 

 
STORY INDEX
 
  Golf: Birdie-fest as Gleeson leads in Macau
   
 
  I was not offered $8,000: table tennis coach
   
 
  Video: Mixed martial arts packs punch
   
 
  Armstrong on 2009 Tour plans
   
 
  Brazil bank sponsors $135m
   
 
  Trautmann to be honoured
   
 
  Barcelona rout Basel
   
 
  Golf: Philippines pair set pace in Jakarta
   
 
  Football: Petrov injury blow for Man City
   
 
  Liu to seek injury advice in US
   
>> RELATED STORY
Golf: Birdie-fest as Gleeson leads in Macau
Ahn leads Wie by three
BIGGER booty for Singapore Open
Golf: Mickelson regains control at Colonial
Golf: Australian Pampling takes charge at Colonial

Elsewhere in AsiaOne...

Travel: Shop and play

Health: No fearful symmetry here as Tiger burns bright

Motoring: Volkswagen expects to sell 3.5mln Golfs in ?07

Business: Is it a good time to buy a club membership?

Just Women: Golf without pain

 

We welcome contributions, comments and tips.
a1admin@sph.com.sg