Golf: Estes equals St Jude record

Bob Estes equalled the tournament record by firing a 10-under 61 in the first round of the $US3.5 million ($8.4 million) St Jude Classic at Memphis, Tennessee, yesterday.

Estes had 10 birdies and no bogeys as he tied the record, set by Jay Delsing in 1993.

First-round play ended early because of darkness, and 30 players were to complete their rounds today.

One of those was New Zealand's Craig Perks, who was one-under after 15 holes. Frank Nobilo shot a round of 70.

Tom Byrum, on seven-under through 17, was Estes' closest rival.

* Nobilo is determined to make next month's British Open after missing out on the US Open.

Nobilo competed in a 36-hole US Open qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, before losing out in a nine-player playoff for just two places.

But he will focus on next month's Western Open in Chicago, where the top eight finishers have exemptions to contest the British Open.

Meanwhile, Michael Campbell has favourable first and second-round tee-off times for the US Open starting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, next Friday morning. He will tee off at 11.50 am with former US Masters champion Fred Couples and American Joe Durant.



* Australian Adam Scott sought help from Tiger Woods and Greg Norman to change his putting fortunes and it appears to have worked.

Scott took a share of a one-shot lead after a five-under 67 in the English Open at Meriden yesterday.

Scott lifted his performance on the greens by seven strokes, needing only 28 putts for his six-birdie card, to share the lead with in-form Briton Andrew Oldcorn.

- AGENCIES