Golf: Norman's 63 equals record

GREG NORMAN shot a record-equalling 63 in the first round of The Players' Championship at Sawgrass yesterday, writes Robinson Holloway from Ponte Vedra. His nine- under-par round included a run of seven birdies in eight holes.

Colin Montgomerie was in joint second place with a bogey- free round of 65. Montgomerie said: 'I finished with four pars, on four tricky holes, and felt like I dropped a shot as I saw Norman's name creeping up the board. I thought in Europe I'd be three or four ahead: here I'm two behind.'

Nick Faldo finished with a five-under-par 67. With six birdies and a single bogey, Faldo was pleased with his scoring for the first time this year.

Scores, Sporting Digest

King dismisses Duke, page 39