Golf

SENIOR BRITISH OPEN

(Northern Ireland)

Argentina's Eduardo Romero made a brilliant start to his senior career, grabbing a share of the first-round lead yesterday.

Just five days after turning 50 and playing in his first seniors event, Romero fired a three-under 69 to join Britons Jim Rhodes and John Chillas and American Don Pooley at the top of leaderboard.

Playing at the Royal Portrush Golf Club for the first time, Romero's round included five birdies and two bogies.

"I have never been here before, but Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley told me it was the best course in Northern Ireland," Romero said.

The opening round featured a pair of hole in ones. Australia's Graham Marsh aced the 155m par three 11th and Rhodes did the same on the 173m sixth.

Defending champion Tom Watson was six shots off the pace at three over.

IRISH OPEN

(Drogheda)

Defending champion Michael Campbell had a tough opening day yesterday, shooting a two-under 70 to go six strokes behind leaders Peter Lonard and Nick O'Hern, of Australia.

Lonard set his sights on the title just two days after having corrective eye surgery, firing 64.

The other New Zealander in the field, Stephen Scahill, carded a one-over 73.

Lonard did not play a practice round and was in a London's Moorfield Eye Hospital having work done on his right eye on Wednesday.

Australians dominated the leaderboard, with Brett Rumford sharing third place.

Lonard's eye problems began when he contracted Ross River Fever after being bitten by a mosquito and had to take 18 months off in 1993 and 1994.

After wearing spectacles and contact lenses, he had laser eye surgery six years ago, but found recently that he needed a correction to his right eye.

Leading first-round scores (par-72, Britain unless stated):

64: P. Lonard (Australia), N. O'Hern (Australia).

66: S. Gallacher, B. Rumford (Australia), S. Wakefield.

67: R-J Derksen (Netherlands), P. Lawrie (Ireland), S. Lyle, M. Roe, S. Webster, F. A. Hed (Sweden).

68: C. Cevaer, R. Karlsson (Sweden), D. Higgins (Ireland), J. Kingston (South Africa), L. Oosthuizen (South Africa).

69: D. Borrego (Spain), R. Chapman, S. Dodd, G. Emerson, S. Hansen (Denmark), R. Jacquelin (France), J-F Lucquin (France), B. Mason, P. O'Malley (Australia), H. Stenson (Sweden).

70: P. Baker, M. Campbell (NZ), D. Carter, D. Clarke, J. Clement (Switzerland), P. Eales, N. Fasth (Sweden), N. Flanagan (Australia), P. Fowler (Australia), C. Hanell (Sweden), J. M. Lara (Spain), M. A. Martin (Spain), C. Monasterio (Argentina), G. Orr, R. Rashell (US), R. Sterne (South Africa), A. Wall, G. Brand Jun, P. Harrington (Ireland), R. Russell.

Also:

73: S. Scahill (NZ).

GREATER MILWAUKEE OPEN

(Wisconsin)

Leading first-round scores (par-72, US unless stated). -

65: D. Briggs, O. Browne, T. Fischer, R. Gamez, B. Kortan, B. Quigley, P. Sheehan, B. V. Pelt.

66: P. Azinger, C. Beckman, R. Beem, C. Bowden, D. Forsman, J. Kelly, K. Muncrief, W. Short, J. Sluman, S. Verplank.

67: J. E. Morgan (Britain), D. Wilson, J. Williamson, R. Palmer, J. Dufner, G. Chalmers (Australia), V. Taylor.

Also:

74: G. Waite (NZ).

EVIAN MASTERS

(Evian Les Bains, France)

Leading second-round scores (par 72, US unless noted, *denotes amateur). -

134: K. Stupples (GB) 68 66.

135: A. Sorenstam (Swe) 66 69, L. Davies (GB) 64 71.

136: W. Doolan (Aus) 68 68.

137: K. Saiki 70 67, C. Matthew (GB) 70 67, L. Ochoa (Mex) 68 69.

138: R. Teske (Aus) 70 68, L. Brooky (NZ) 66 72.

139: G. Park (Kor) 72 67, G. Park (Kor) 72 67, S. Pettersen (Nor) 70 69, R. Jones 70 69, P. M. Lebouc (Fra) 69 70, C. Koch (Swe) 69 70, M. Prieto (Spain) 66 73.

140: W. Ward 72 68, M. Mallon 71 69, Kim Mi Hyun (Kor) 71 69, S. Arricau (Fra) 67 73.

141: P. Marti (Spain) 72 69, Han Hee Won (Kor) 71 70, Kang Soo Yun (Kor) 69 72, B. Morgan (GB) 69 72, A. Gottmo (Swe) 69 72.

142: *M. Wie 71 71, B. Brewerton (GB) 70 72.