Faldo shares lead in Dunhill golf

DENPASAR, Bali (Agencies): English world number three Nick Faldo shrugged off the jet-lag and blistering heat here to share the opening lead of the US$345,000 Alfred Dunhill yesterday.

Former world number one Faldo fired his way around the scenic 6,831-yard Bali Golf and Country Club layout in four under-par 67. Joining him at the top of the table in the Australasian PGA tour event were Australia's Terry Gale, Mike Cunning of the U.S. and Fijian Krishna Singh.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie, who last month clinched his second successive European PGA Tour Order of Merit crown, was among a group of four players finishing at 68.

Despite temperatures in the mid-90s, a total of 33 players in the 120-field bettered the 71 par, including South African David Frost, Australian Craig Parry and Indonesian Ilyasak.

European Ryder Cup stars Faldo and Montgomerie, arriving here on Tuesday after a grueling journey from Valderrama, Spain, were delighted with their performances.

"I like the greens. They have a good surface. I played solidly and hit 15 greens in regulation," said Faldo, whose round included five birdies and a solitary bogey at the par-four 12th.

It was not such a good day for Australian Roger Davis. Playing in the same group as Faldo, Davis injured his wrist while hitting a shot at the 12th and retired from the inaugural tournament.

Leading scorers

67 - Nick Faldo (GB), Terry Gale (Aus), Mike Cunning (USA), Krishna Singh (Fij) 68 - Colin Montgomerie (Sco), Patrick Burke (USA), Russel Swanson (Aus), Stuart Bouvier (Aus) 69 - Dominic Boulet (HK), Shane Tait (Aus), Andre Stolz (Aus), Nico van rensburg (SAf), Lu Chien-soon (Tpe), Jack O'Keefe (USA), David Smail (NZ), Brad Andrews (Aus), Yu Chin-han (Tpe) 70 - Neil Kerry (Aus), Danilo Cruz (Phi), Ilyasak (Ina), Jamie Taylor (Aus), Simon Owen (NZ), David Frost (SAf), George Serhan (Aus), Max Stevens (Aus), Tony Maloney (Aus), Martin Phillips (NZ), Shane Robinson (Aus), Elliot Boult (NZ), Paul Devenport (NZ), Craig Parry (Aus), Tony Carolan (Aus), Tim Elliot (Aus)