GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Ricky Fowler had six birdies over his last eight holes en route to an 8-underpar 63 Thursday to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Australian PGA.
Fowler’s round took some of the attention from Adam Scott’s first tournament back home since becoming the first Masters champion from Australia. Scott was two strokes back after shooting a 65 playing in the afternoon groups affected by gusty winds at Royal Pines.
Scott was tied with fellow Australians Matthew Ballard and David McKenzie.
Nathan Green shot 66 and was alone in fifth spot, a stroke better than Australian compatriot Jason Norris and South Korea’s Kwon Sung-yeol, who shot 67s and were equal sixth. Richard Lee of Canada was in a large group tied for eighth with 68s.
Fowler started at the 10th and opened with five pars before making birdie on two of the next four holes before the turn.
Scott is making his first tournament appearance back home since winning the U.S. Masters in April, the first Australian to do so.
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