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Fasth, Stadler make quick start

08/11/2007

Swede Niclas Fasth and American Kevin Stadler have both carded record-equalling rounds of 64 to take a joint lead of the HSBC Champions tournament.

Both players took advantage of good conditions in the first round of the competition in Shanghai to establish a three-shot lead over Vijay Singh in third, who went round in five under par.

"It's a good score, no doubt about that," said Fasth.

"I was playing well and putting well and it's a great start to the tournament."

Fasth exploded out of the blocks on his round, with a birdie and an eagle in the first two holes, and he said this helped him on the way to a career-best score.

"It's not very often you are three under par for two holes of any tournament and it really set me off on the right foot for the day," he continued.

"I've been more settled this year, both in practice on the range and playing on the course and I think that has been noticeable. When you are relaxed like that, it makes it a little easier to play more stable golf."

In an all-star field, US Masters champion Angel Cabrera is joint fourth on four under par, alongside a number of big-name players such as Englishmen Paul Casey and Ross Fisher, Korea's KJ Choi, American Phil Mickelson and The Open champion, Ireland's Padraig Harrington.

Three other English players - Steve Webster (three under), Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter (both two under) - remain in contention, although Colin Montgomerie endured another difficult day and finished with a one-over-par round of 73.