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Sabbatini leads in New Haven

24/08/2007

South Africa's Rory Sabbatini has taken a one-shot lead of the Barclays Classic in New Haven after carding a superb eight-under-par round of 63.

The 31-year-old from Durban shot a bogey-free round which included birdies on three out of the four par-threes at the Westchester Country Club.

South Korea's KJ Choi and American Rich Beem sit joint second, one shot behind Sabbatini, after solid rounds of 64 while four players – including Sabbatini's South African countryman Ernie Els – are a further shot back on six under par.

World number one Tiger Woods chose not to take part this week, but there are still several of the top names in golf well in contention.

Number two Phil Mickelson is tied for 11th after an opening round of four under par, alongside Australia's Adam Scott.

English duo Luke Donald and Brian Davis are also still in the hunt after comfortable three-under rounds of 68 on what was a low-scoring first day.

And leader Sabbatini said the conditions had helped because there was a distinct lack of wind, meaning aiming the ball at the flag had become a simple task for him.

"It was like shooting darts at the flags," he said.

"The greens are receptive and where you land the drives, that's where the ball is going to hit."