Open
champion Paul Lawrie made light of painful blisters to post a
seven-under par 65 for a one-shot lead in the Million Dollar
Challenge on Thursday.
Lawrie, playing in the invitation tournament for the first
time, leads fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie who birdied his first
three holes on the way to first round 66.
Lawrie said the blisters were caused by an ankle brace he
was wearing after twisting his ankle in the PGA Grand Slam of
Golf in Hawaii last week.
At one stage during his round Lawrie had to receive on
course treatment from the tournament physiotherapist.
"The ankle itself is fine but the blisters are a problem.
That's when I asked if the physiotherapist could come and patch
me up on course," said Lawrie.
However, his game showed no signs of being affected by the
problem.
A brilliant run from Lawrie over the turn, featuring an
eagle and three birdies from the ninth to the 12th, saw him draw
level with Montgomerie.
Lawrie then moved to the top of the leaderboard with a
birdie at the par four 17th.
"Three birdies is a great start on this course. You could
only lose it out there today and I've given myself a good
start," said Montgomerie who won here in 1996.
American John Huston and South Africa's Ernie Els finished
the first day on 67, while defending champion Nick Price of
Zimbabwe opened with a 68.
Spanish teenager Sergio Garcia was far from satisfied with
his putting in a round of 71.
"I didnt' feel comfortable on these greens and couldn't make
any putts. Hopefully, that will change," he said.
