Golf: Big names upstaged at BMW Championship

VIRGINIA WATER, England - Britain's Graeme McDowell, Irishman Peter Lawrie and Jose-Filipe Lima of Portugal upstaged the European Tour's biggest names by moving one shot clear in the BMW Championship first round on Thursday.

Late starters McDowell and Lima reeled off a string of birdies on the back nine to join early pace-setter Lawrie on five-under-par 67 at a firm-running Wentworth Club.

However, world No 3 and Wentworth resident Ernie Els, chasing his fourth European title of the year, was among several heavyweight players who failed to make an impact.

South African Els returned a 73 and Britain's Paul Casey, one of 11 European Ryder Cup players in action, battled to a 78.

- REUTERS