Big names play second fiddle

Singapore OpenThe likes of Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, KJ Choi and defending champion Adam Scott were upstaged at the Singapore Open as a trio of unheralded Asian Tour players moved to the top of the leaderboard in the opening round.

Australians Gavin Flint and Kane Webber and Korean-American Jin Park fired five-under-par 66s at the Serapong course at Sentosa Golf Club to lead by one stroke in the €2.8 million Asian Tour event.

Angelo Que of the Philippines was alone in third place on four-under 67, while Mickelson and Choi were tied for fifth, a further stroke back, with Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka.

A number of the tournament's other marquee players were within striking distance.

Scott and Vijay Singh shot one-under-par 70s, Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and US Open winner Angel Cabrera were level par and Els was one over.

Playing in the morning, Mickelson struggled with his driver but was rescued by his strong iron play as he carded a creditable three-under-par 68.

"I scored well, I made some good putts and I made some good iron shots but my driving was terrible," said Mickelson, whose card was blotted by a double bogey at the par-four third.

"It's the worst it's been since I started working with Butch Harmon. It's 10.15 his time at night so I'm going to give him a call as soon as I've finished.

"This course is very challenging tee to green, the fairways are tight and I drove it very poorly.

"I was lucky to escape with a three-under-par round but I feel that if I can get my driver and three-wood turned around, I should be able to have a good remaining three days.

"I'll just talk to Butch and see if we can get this ironed out for tomorrow."

But it was Flint, Webber and Park who stole the show with solid rounds in calm conditions at Sentosa.

Playing in the morning, Flint fired five birdies in his bogey-free round, much to the delight of his Singaporean mother, who was watching on from the gallery.

"I'm definitely very pleased with my performance. I hit the ball really well and putted well also," said the 26-year-old Brisbane resident.

"It kind of feels like a national Open to me. I had my mum and a few other friends out there supporting me this morning and to be able to stay at home is very good."

Webber (27), teed off in the afternoon and also carded a bogey-free round as he put himself into contention for his second Asian Tour title after winning the 2006 Macau Open.

Asian Tour rookie Park (28), has not finished higher than 11th, at the Midea China Classic this year, but finds himself in a strong position after firing six birdies and a lone bogey.