McDowell leads with course record

Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, the European Tour's newest professional, broke the Kunsangens course record Thursday to take a surprise one-shot lead in the Scandinavian Masters.

McDowell, who has an attachment to the hosting Swedish course but had never previously played the full 18 holes, carded a spotless seven-under-par 64, the record by a shot, to lead Australian Adam Scott.

The Ulsterman, who beat Tiger Woods's collegiate annual stroke average record when he went to the University of Alabama, became the second player in succession to break a course record on opening day, following German Tobias Dier's 60 in last week's Dutch Open first round.

McDowell's achievement was remarkable in that he had only nine holes practice at Kunsangens because his flight from Belfast was delayed Tuesday.

Arriving too late to take to the course, McDowell was unable to play until early evening Wednesday because of the pro-am. Having walked the back nine, he played the front nine, over which he excelled Thursday, collecting five birdies, four in his last nine holes after starting at the 10th, coming home in 31 shots.

"It's a dream start here at Kunsangens," said the 23-year-old who celebrated his birthday Tuesday.

"I have a nice deal, brought about my management company and European Tour courses who are involved here.

"The first time I played the course was Wednesday evening but I'd walked the back nine holes on the advice of my caddie, who'd walked all 18.

"It paid off because the front side is easier and I got more out of walking the harder part.

"My game was not 100 per cent but I scrambled well after a slow start.

A member of Britain and Ireland's successful Walker Cup team against America last year, McDowell turned pro six weeks ago at the Great North Open with seven invitations in prospect.

He had an indifferent start, missing two out of three cuts but was heartened by a 27th finish in his home Irish Open.

Then two weeks ago, the youngster who wants to emulate his compatriot Darren Clarke finished second on the Challenge Tour in Hamburg to build his confidence for his debut at Kunsangens.

"I'm learning as I go along, especially how to prepare for tournaments," he said. "I'd fallen into the trap of over-preparing and playing too much."

Scott completely overshadowed defending champion Colin Montgomerie, who had to settle for a 70.

The Australian reckoned going back to working full-time with his coach Butch Harmon, who also looks after Tiger Woods and Clarke, had inspired him to an eagle and five birdies, with just one bogey.

That dropped shot kept him off the top of the leaderboard but he finished a stroke better than a trio of Britons in third place -- Warren Bennett, Matthew Cort and Grant Hamerton.

Former winner Jesper Parnevik, one of the favorites, was well in contention after a 67, while American Jeff Sluman, the 1988 U.S. PGA champion, shot a 69.

The start of play was delayed for an hour following an early-morning thunderstorm.

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