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Brown and Fernández-Castaño set early pace
Jeju, Korea, 23 April 2009 - Mark Brown and Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño upstaged the big names at the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea to claim the first round lead on Thursday. The pair both carded seven-under-par 65s to leave themselves one shot clear of the pack at Pinx Golf Club on the picturesque island of Jeju. But lurking close behind the leaders were three of the tournament’s marquee players – Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson and Fred Couples – who all made strong starts. Fernández-Castaño was delighted to continue his good form after finishing runner-up in last week’s China Open. He fired six birdies plus an eagle at the par-five 10th – with his only blemish being a bogey on the par-four seventh. “The last couple of weeks have been great and, well, coming out here and shooting 65 in the first round, you can’t ask for any better,” said the Spaniard. “We’ve been very lucky with the weather today, it’s been absolutely fantastic, no wind at all. It’s been an easy day compared to the practice rounds we’ve played here. “So I’m very happy. It’s a fantastic way to start the tournament and hopefully we’ll keep it going.” New Zealander Brown was delighted to be joint top of the 2009 Ballantine’s Championship leaderboard after a superb round in which he also eagled the 10th. And with Jeju’s famous winds expected to pick up later in the tournament, he acknowledged his good opening could prove vital. “I think it will blow before the week is out and that will provide a different challenge,” said Brown, who was joint third at the China Open. “It’s good to be in with that score nice and early. I can sit back and relax and try to build on that tomorrow afternoon.” Three players – Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Robert-Jan Derksen of Holland and Korea’s Kang Kyung Nam, who plays mainly on his country’s domestic tour – were a shot back on 66. Robert Dinwiddie of England, American Jason Knutzon and Alessandro Tadini of Italy each carded a 67 to be two shots off the pace. But it was also a day when the big guns fired at the €2.1 million tournament, which is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and Korea PGA. Three-time Major winner Els and world No.9 Stenson were among 12 players on four-under 68. “It was a solid round of golf,” said Els. “I didn’t have a bogey on the card, which I haven’t done for a while.” But the South African rued several missed chances. “Weather-wise, it was beautiful and the course the golf course was there for the taking. “So I felt like I left some shots out there, but I feel kind of fresh and my swing felt really good. So I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.” Couples returned a 69 and was satisfied with his opening effort. “I hit the ball pretty well,” said the American. “I made my share of nice little eight and 10 footers to keep the round going. “I bogeyed the last, but it’s a hard hole. I have to just come out tomorrow and try to get it going again.” Of the tournament’s other big names, England’s Lee Westwood and Chinese No.1 Liang Wenchong each shot 71. But defending champion Graeme McDowell had a day to forget, a four-over 76 leaving him plenty of work to do on Friday. “I’m shocked and stunned,” said the Northern Irishman. “I drove it all over the place. It was just a bad morning in the office. “Obviously I’m going to need three really good rounds to try to compete on the weekend. I’ll be going out all guns blazing tomorrow.”
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Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.