Golf: Seven birdies set standard at Classic

HARRISON - Loren Roberts reeled off seven birdies in his last 11 holes to set the first round pace with a seven-under-par 64 in the US$3.5 million ($7.20 million) Buick Classic played at the Westchester Country Club in New York yesterday.

In rainy conditions that became worse as the day wore on, Roberts opened up a one-shot lead over Jerry Kelly, Michael Muehr and Bob Heintz. Chris Smith and David Gossett shared fifth place on 66.

Retief Goosen of South Africa, who will be defending his US Open title next week, was one of eight players on 67. Spain's Sergio Garcia, who won last year's Buick event, and South Africa's Ernie Els were among a group of 10 on 68.

Three New Zealanders, Craig Perks, Phil Tataurangi and Frank Nobilo were one shot back on 69.

Grant Waite fired a first-round 72 while Michael Campbell completed the New Zealand representation with a 74.

Starting on the back nine and level par through the first seven holes, Roberts' fortunes changed when he chipped in for a birdie at the par-four 17th. He then birdied the par-five 18th from 1.2m and the par-three first from 2.4m.

This week's field includes seven of the top eight players in the world rankings and a large European contingent preparing for next week's US Open at Bethpage State Park in New York.

* Darren Clarke switched putters to set up the chance of his third English Open win in four years at Meriden when a seven-under-par 65 earned him a share of a two-stroke lead with Australia's Jarrod Moseley.

Twice champion Clarke, looking to go to next week's US Open with a first win of the year, collected seven birdies without a dropped shot.

Moseley nearly albatrossed the 17th to storm alongside Clarke, almost matching his blistering finish in the PGA Championship two weeks ago when he carded a record-equalling 63 at Wentworth.

Among a group of five in third place at five under were Scotland's Gary Orr, Belgian Didier De Vooght and Englishman Mark Roe.

Clarke won the event at Hanbury Manor in Hertfordshire in 1999 and at this Warwickshire venue in 2000 and now seeks the hat-trick.

* Defending champion Karrie Webb set the pace on five under par with three holes remaining in the first round of the LPGA Championship in Wilmington, Delaware when a thunderstorm suspended play yesterday.

The Australian, seeking her sixth major in just 11 starts, played a flawless 15 holes and faced a short par putt on the long 16th when the weather caused an early end to the day's action.

In the clubhouse, veteran Beth Daniel led on four under 67, three shots ahead of a group of five that included the world No 1 Annika Sorenstam of Sweden.

Although Webb won the Australian Open in March, she has failed to finish higher than fifth in her six LPGA events.

But she displayed her ability to turn up the heat in a major with birdies at the second and fifth in an outward 33 and three more at the 11th, 12th and 15th.

Canada's Lorie Kane (12 holes) and Austria's Natascha Fink (10 holes) were both three under out on the course, while Betsy King (15 holes), Carin Koch (14 holes) and Juli Inkster (13 holes) were all two under.

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