Allenby takes early lead at Huntingdale
BY Anthony Powter | Australasian PGA Tour | 2007 MasterCard Masters | Round One | 22 Nov 2007
Robert Allenby has fired a five-under 67, to take the morning lead in the first round of the MasterCard Masters at Huntingdale Golf Club, Melbourne.
Allenby’s round was kick-started with a flurry of birdies that had the 2003 and 2005 MasterCard Masters Champion, four-under through his first five holes.
New Zealand’s Mahal Pearce is poised to take Allenby’s lead, should the 2003 New Zealand Open champion continue with his blistering form. Pearce is currently five-under through fourteen holes, followed by Ewan Porter, at four-under through fourteen.
Stuart Appleby is among a pack of five players all at three-under, including Swedish pair, Daniel Chopra and Fredrik Anderson. Peter Lonard, the 1997 and 2002 winner, finished his opening round with a two-under par 70, whilst last year’s round one leader, Aaron Pike will need to improve on his two-over 72 and T56th place, if he is to be around for the weekend.
The main afternoon groups are just about to tee off, including Aaron Baddeley, John Senden, Peter Senior, Nick Flanagan and Irish sensation Rory McIlroy. With just light winds and a shower or two expected, all players are more than capable of pressing the current leaderboard.
