AUSTRALIAN OPEN:A THREE-PUTT bogey at the last dropped home favourite Stuart Appleby into a tie for the lead with compatriot Scott Hend on six-under-par after a blustery first round at the Australian Open yesterday.
Eight-times PGA Tour winner Appleby raced into an early lead at the New South Wales Golf Club after seven birdies in his opening 12 holes, including holing a bunker shot for a birdie two at the 11th.
However, the 2001 champion saw his charge halted with a bogey five at the par-four 12th. He bounced back with a birdie three at the 16th but closed with a bogey six at the par-five 18th for a 66 to leave him tied at the top with Hend.
The 35-year-old Hend, who tied for third at the Singapore Open last month, enjoyed calmer conditions as an early starter, recording eight birdies and two bogeys in his 66.
The leaderboard is dominated by players from the morning session with James Nitties and Peter Wilson also capitalising on the benign conditions early on to sit one stroke off the lead after carding five-under 67s.
The in-form Nitties obviously enjoyed the extra attention after being drawn alongside Adam Scott and American John Daly, while Wilson, who started his day on the 10th hole, stormed home with six birdies on the front nine to share second spot.
Former world number three Scott, bidding for a first professional title on home soil, was just two shots back in a tie for fifth after an eagle three at the par five 12th helped him to a 68.
Playing partner, two-time major winner Daly donned a typically loud yellow and purple outfit for his eventful level par round which included six bogeys, four birdies and an eagle to leave him in a tie for 28th.
