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Buckle tied for lead in America

Australia’s Andrew Buckle burst into action in the opening round with a five-under-par 67 and was tied for the lead at the Nationwide Tour Championship at The Houstonian on Thursday.

The Asian Tour youngster was the joint leader on the first day alongside England’s Gary Christian and American Cliff Kresge at the US$750,000 event.

Buckle, who is hoping to improve on his current 18th ranking on the US money list, struggled in the opening stages with bogeys on the third and fifth holes. But the 24-year-old bounced back with a 15 foot birdie on the sixth hole and caught up with Christian when he blasted five birdies in a row at the ninth, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th holes. He ended his fine run with a final birdie at the 16th.

He will be inspired for a repeat performance in the second round to secure his position on the money list as only the top-22 will gain promotion for the new season. Buckle lifted his first ever Nationwide Tour title at the Virginia Beach Open in May.

Buckle is also enjoying a strong run on the Asian Tour as he chalked up two runner-up finishes this season and is ranked fourth on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.

Compatriot Jarrod Lyle was even-par for the day as he was in joint 32nd spot. Lyle, who is ranked 15th on the US money list, endured mix fortunes as he fired four birdies against an equal number of bogeys at the Houstonian Golf and Country Club.

Hoping to climb into the top-22 is Korea’s Charlie Wi who will have an uphill task in the remaining rounds as he carded a 74 in tied 49th position. Wi is ranked 38th on the money list and needs to finish among the frontrunners for a place on the US PGA Tour next year.

Chinese Taipei’s Lin Keng-chi endured a slow start at the Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters when he shot a 74 in tied 42nd spot in Japan. Korea’s Hur Suk-ho was a stroke behind in joint 49th place. Among the frontrunners was Chinese Taipei’s Yeh Wei-tze who fired a 68 in tied fifth position. Japan’s Ryuichi Oda shot a 66 for the first round lead.

November 10, 2006