US tour: Four birdies in a row from the 14th eased Steve Lowery into the early lead after a first round of six-under-par 65 in the FBR Open in Scotsdale, Arizona yesterday.

Out in 33 with birdies at the second, third and fifth, Lowery also birdied the 10th before dropping a shot at the next. However, the four in row took him one clear of Jerry Smith and Bo Van Pelt.

Justin Rose birdied the 11th, 14th and 15th to turn in a three under 33 but dropped shots at the sixth, seventh and ninth on the run-in for an opening 69.

Jose Maria Olazabal, who lost a play-off to Tiger Woods in the Buick Invitational last Sunday, began brightly with birdies at the first and fourth, but three bogeys mixed with two birdies over the remainder of the course left him on one-under-par 70.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson also had a mixed day in returning a two-under-par 69.

The later starters included Ireland's Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia and Greg Owen.

WOMEN'S TOUR: Ireland's Rebecca Coakley is just three shot off the pace after the first round of the LET ANZ Masters in Queensland yesterday.

The former Irish champion shot a two-under-par 70 to trail Scotland's Mhairi MacKay and Italian Diana Luna, who both carded five-under-par 67s.

McKay blazed a trail of seven birdies against two bogeys early in the day at Royal Pines Resort in Queensland, showing signs that she could be back in the form that won her the 2003 Australian Open.

Luna, the 2003 Tenerife Open Champion, also carded seven birdies and two bogeys and both players lead by a shot from Jenni Kuosa of Finland.

Coakley fired three birdies at the third, sixth and 12th and dropped her only shot of the round at the 17th in her 70.