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Khan takes leaf out of Harrington's book

26/07/2007

English golfer Simon Khan has taken an early lead in the Players' Championship of Europe in Hamburg after a first round 65 left him one shot ahead of the chasing pack.

The 35-year-old's opening-day efforts place him on seven under par, ahead of Lee Slattery and Owen Wilson, on six under.

Ryder Cup star Paul Casey also remains in contention, with the current world number 18 lying three shots off the lead on four under par.

Khan started brightly with birdies on his first two holes, and reached the top of the leaderboard over the final six holes when he picked up three shots.

Describing his disappointment at not having managed to claim a place in last week's Open Championship at Carnoustie, Khan said that he had managed to watch eventual winner Padraig Harrington's putting technique closely.

Using the time to sharpen his technique, Khan said: "I went back to an old putter, changed my grip to how I putted as a kid, with my finger down the shaft. I noticed Harrington does that, although with his other hand.

"It felt really good straight away and on the first three holes - bang, bang, bang. It made such a difference."

If Khan manages to prevail this weekend, it would be his first victory on the PGA Tour since a surprise win in the European Open in 2004 and his second in total.

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