2006 Taiwan Open - Round 1: Webber sets the pace in opening round

Australia’s Kane Webber fired a five-under-par 67 for a one stroke lead at the US$300,000 Taiwan Open on Thursday.

Webber, playing in his maiden season on the Asian Tour, enjoyed a blemish free round under calm conditions as he holds a one-stroke lead over local favourite and former winner Tsai Chi-huang and Sweden’s Olle Nordberg at the Sunrise Golf and Country Club.

Local amateur Chen Ming-hsin did well as he carded four birdies against a lone bogey for a 69 and was in tied fourth spot alongside compatriots Lin Keng-chi and Lu Wen-der, Filipino Angelo Que, Thai youngster Prom Meesawat, Australian duo of Unho Park and Richard Moir and Jochen Luprian of Germany.

The 26-year-old Webber, who won the Macau Open in May, conquered the greens with three birdies on sixth, seventh and ninth holes. After having struggled to save par at the 13th hole, Webber, who turned pro in 2004, continued his momentum firing his fourth birdie at the 15th hole and then took a narrow one stroke lead over the field with a final three foot birdie putt at the 18th hole.

"It worked out well for me today as I was really driving it solid of the tee and because there was hardly any wind until about the 13th hole, I really enjoyed myself out there," said Webber.

"It was quite strange playing out on course today because the conditions were not like this during the practice round where it was quite windy.

"I'm definitely happy with my position as the last time I got off to a good start was in Macau and since then, I have been struggling in the opening stages. Thanks to my solid driving, I hope to continue my momentum going into the second round," he added.

Tsai, who won the Taiwan Open back in 1997, also enjoyed a superb start with an eagle at the par five sixth hole followed by a birdie at the seventh and ninth holes. On the back nine, Tsai suffered a double bogey at the 12th hole but he birdied the following 13th hole. After a stumble with a bogey on the 15th hole, Tsai leaped to lone second spot with two consecutive birdies at the 17th and 18th holes.

“The wind was not very strong today and I am happy with the course as it suits my game. The greens are in great shape and I feel really good overall,” said Tsai.

“Among my highlights today was the six footer for eagle at the sixth hole. I was putting good as well as I holed a 14 foot birdie putt at the 17th hole,” he said.

Nordberg enjoyed a steady run as he nailed an eagle at the par four 14th hole together with three birdies against a bogey on the opening day.

Prom, who is the highest ranked player in the field, shot four birdies as he dropped his only shot at the 11th hole. He is currently in second place on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.

Defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, the current Order of Merit winner, was pleased with his opening round after firing a 70 in joint 12th place.

“I knew that the wind had picked up in the afternoon, so two under is a good score. This course is challenging and I will hope to improve my round tomorrow,” said Thaworn.

Leading first round scores
67 - Kane Webber (AUS)
68 - Tsai Chi-huang (TPE), Olle Nordberg (SWE)
69 - Chen Ming-hsin [A] (TPE), Jochen Lupprian (GER),
Lin Keng-chi (TPE), Angelo Que (PHI), Prom Meesawat (THA), Unho Park (AUS)
Richard Moir (AUS), Lu Wen-der (TPE)
70 - Anthony Brown (AUS), Lu Wen-teh (TPE), Adam Groom (AUS), Lin Wen-hong (TPE)
Lin Wen-tang (TPE), Gary Rusnak (USA), Simon Yates (SCO), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Michael Wright (AUS), Rafael Ponce (ECU)
71 - Barry Hume (SCO), Chris Rodgers (ENG), Rick Gibson (CAN), Mike Cunning (USA), Pat Giles (AUS), Andrew Pitts (USA), Lee Sung (KOR), Chapchai Nirat (THA)
Ted Oh (KOR), Chen Yuan-chi (TPE), Wang Ter-chang (TPE), Sung Mao-chang (TPE)
72 - Gerald Rosales (PHI)

October 5, 2006

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