Celtic Manor Wales Open: Wood leads first round
Chris Wood set the early pace at Celtic Manor today, the Englishman holding the clubhouse lead of six-under-par 65 at the course that will host this year's Ryder Cup in October.
Wales' Bradley Dredge and Australia's Andew Dodt were tied for second place, just one stroke behind Wood.
Wood scored six birdies and no bogeys to take the lead, but his scorecard could have been even better, the 22-year-old just missing a further birdie on the 9th when his nine foot putt lipped the hole.
Though he's yet to win his maiden tournament on the European Tour, Wood has already impressed this season, leading going into the final day at Wentworth two weeks ago - he could yet force his way into The European Ryder Cup team.
Italy's Edoardo Molinari was four-under and tied for fourth place with England's Richard McEvoy, both players having completed the 18 holes. A host of players were tied for sixth place on three under, among them England's Robert Rock and Ireland's Simon Thornton.
Germany's Martin Kaymer managed an eagle on the 15th and could still only finish one-under, two birdies and three bogeys meaning the world No. 12 was tied for 23rd place - as was Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, and young Welshman Rhys Davies, who has already won the Hassan II Trophy this year.
Simon Khan, the unlikely winner at Wentworth two weeks ago, could only finish on level par today, as could Alvaro Quiroz; that despite the Spaniard hitting a hole-in-one on the 3rd, when his six iron from the tee travelled 189 yards to find the hole. Unfortunately Quiroz had begun (on the 10th) with three bogeys in five holes.
England's Luke Donald was one of the later starters, but last week's Madrid Masters winner got off to a slow start, with Donald two-over after 10 holes.
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