Sport

Harrington three shots off the pace

Little-known Indian Arjun Atwal eclipsed the European stars in the first round of the £515,625 Malaysian Open yesterday

Fri Feb 11 2000 - 00:00

Little-known Indian Arjun Atwal eclipsed the European stars in the first round of the £515,625 Malaysian Open yesterday. The 26-year-old carded a seven-underpar 65 to seize a one-shot lead, nine birdies helping him to a single stroke lead over Zhang Lian-wei of China at Kuala Lumpur's Templer Park Country Club.

Mark Mouland was the best British performer on the first day of the event, the Welshman is level in third after a 67, alongside Thailand's rising star Thongchai Jaidee, former US PGA Tour player Ted Purdy and Denmark's Steen Tinning of Denmark.

The star attractions from the European Tour, South Africa's Retief Goosen of South Africa and Ireland's Ryder Cup player Padraig Harrington carded 68s - both were affected by disappointing bogeys at the difficult 18th.

Germany's two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer was one-over-par at 73 - a disastrous double bogey seven at the par-five third hole wrecking his hopes of a decent round.

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Defending champion Gerry Norquist of the United States began his title defence with a oneunder-par 71, while Scotland's Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart began his campaign with a 72 - as did Swede Per-Ulrik Johansson.

But Atwal was the star of the day. He peppered the flags with radarlike iron play to sink almost all his birdies with short putts. His longest birdie effort was from 12 feet at the 15th.

Atwal, whose only previous fling with stardom came three years ago when he tied for the first round lead at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia, said afterwards: "I played really well today and didn't make many mistakes.

"When I was younger, I didn't know how to handle it (leading) but it's fun to be leading here."

Chinese number one Zhang, who has played extensively in Europe, Canada and Asia, turned back the clock to reproduce another 66 to be in sole second place. At last year's event, Zhang fired the same number to grab a share of the first round lead but finished tied 33rd.

Featuring in the same group as Atwal and European Tour star Alex Cejka, Zhang said he hoped to maintain his title charge this week.