Golf: Lonard leads from Coltart

Golf

The Australian Masters champion, Peter Lonard, fired a course record nine-under-par 63 to take a two-stroke lead in the opening round of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday.

Lonard leads Scotland's Australian PGA winner, Andrew Coltart, on 65. Lonard, who won the Masters and topped Australia's Order of Merit last season, left playing partner Greg Norman behind with nine birdies.

Britain's Lee Westwood opened with a 68, the same score as Norman, who will equal Jack Nicklaus' six Australian Open titles if he wins this weekend - Gary Player has the record with seven.