MELBOURNE: Defending champion Ian Poulter and Adam Scott fired an ominous warning to their rivals yesterday, carding 67s to lurk just two shots off the lead after the first round of the Australian Masters.
Little-known Australian Matthew Guyatt was the surprise early leader, hitting a seven-under-par 65 in benign conditions at Kingston Heath in Melbourne.
Fellow Australian Adam Scott and England’s Poulter, tied for second with New Zealand’s Michael Hendry, were disappointed they did not take full advantage of the easy conditions despite their solid showings. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen afternoon conditions like we had out there today,” said Ryder Cup hero Poulter, who won the WGC-HSBC Champions in China earlier this month.
“You had to take advantage of it.... Five-under is acceptable but if you play well on this golf course in conditions like we had today you’ll have many birdie opportunities.”
Poulter’s only blemish came at the 16th hole where he said he “made a pig’s ear of it” before making an up-and-down for bogey from 60 yards.AFP
