Golf: Spence keeps his cool

CRAIG SPENCE shot the best round of his career to open up a three- stroke lead after the first day of the Coolum Classic yesterday. The Australian came in just before nightfall with a seven under-par 65 at the Hyatt Regency resort course.

Spence left fellow Australians Adam Crawford and Paul Moloney three shots back in joint second place on the Sunshine Coast course. His painfully slow round did not contain a bogey, a tribute to the 24-year-old's patience as some rounds reached the six-hour mark and one group failed to finish.

His late charge denied joint leadership to Crawford, who squeezed two late birdies from a tough Coolum layout, and Moloney, who returned 68s.

In extremely hot conditions, Crawford rolled home birdies at the 17th and 18th holes.