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Kaymer leads with Swedes in tow

17/01/2008

Martin Kaymer of Germany leads the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship by one shot after carding an excellent first-round score of 66.

Kaymer leads Sweden's Henrik Stenson in second, who also had a good day as he shot seven birdies in a five-under-par round of 67 in the United Arab Emirates.

Stenson's countryman Robert Karlsson is one shot further back in a tie for third place overall with Australia's Adam Scott.

While another Swede, Peter Hedblom, is still in contention near the top of the leaderboard on three under par – a score he shares with fellow fifth-placed players Ignacio Garrido of Spain and England's Lee Westwood.

Several other relative British success stories on the first day can be found in a 13-man group tied for eighth, who are all just four shots off the leader.

Wales' Jamie Donaldson, Scotland's Paul Lawrie and four English players – Mark Foster, Ross McGowan, Ian Poulter and Steve Webster – are all on two under par after solid showings in the first round.

However, it was a less inspiring day for England's Ross Fisher, who is the early-season leader of the European Order of Merit standings.

Fisher finished the day in a disappointing tie for 108th place overall after failing to pick up a shot all day. He carded five bogeys at the fifth, ninth, 11th, 13th and 14th holes in a round of five over par and is at risk of missing the cut.