Golf: Light field lifts leader's victory hopes

Darren Lee, the first-round leader of the Great North Open, plans to cash in on the absence of big names and an amazing collapse by European No 1 Lee Westwood, to capture his maiden tour title.

Lee rounded off a blemish-free six-under 66 in Hexham, England, to lead by two strokes from fellow Britons Andrew Coltart and Jamie Spence, by holing a 15m putt from off the green.

New Zealand's Greg Turner shot a 69 to be in a tie for fourth.

But it proved a dismal day for Westwood as he crashed to an 81, 15 strokes off the lead and with little chance of making the cut unless he can produce something spectacular in the second round.

"I wish I could see some light at the end of the tunnel," Westwood said. "But at the moment someone has turned the light off."

If Westwood, languishing at only 73rd on the rankings he won for the first time last year, cannot turn his game around this weekend, he will be one more obstacle out of the way for Lee.

The 36-year-old Englishman's best result is fifth in last year's BMW International, but he has visited European Tour leaderboards briefly before.

Now, with top tour players such as US Open winner Retief Goosen, Angel Cabrera, Michael Campbell and Padraig Harrington, the first four men on the order of merit, last year's No 2 Darren Clarke and nearly all the top 20 in Europe staying away, Lee is aiming to finish the job.

New Zealanders Elliot Boult and Stephen Scahill shot 74.

* New Zealand's Phil Tataurangi shot a one-over first round of 72 after gaining a last-minute entry to the $US3.5 million ($8.6 million) Buick Classic in Harrison, New York.

Tataurangi joined the tournament after the late withdrawal of South African world No 3 Ernie Els, a two-time winner of the event, because of a back ailment.

Michael Campbell matched his compatriot on the wet first day.

Grant Waite and Frank Nobilo both shot rounds of two-over 73.

The fifth New Zealander in the field, Craig Perks, was yet to start his round because of rain.

* New Zealand's Marnie McGuire shot a three-over 74 in the opening round of the women's LPGA championship in Wilmington, Delaware.

She trailed leader Wendy Ward, of the United States, by nine shots.

- AGENCIES