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Westwood leads Mercedes-Benz Championship

13/09/2007

England's Lee Westwood fired a superb first round 11-under-par 61 to take the lead at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Cologne, Germany.

The 34-year-old was just one shot off equalling Swede Fredrik Jacobson's course record in a round which included an eagle and 10 birdies.

Westwood had an excellent first nine holes, hitting five birdies and only one bogey. But he had a spectacular second half to the round which saw him birdie five holes and hit a 40ft eagle on the 15th hole.

"I've been playing well recently and carried it on today," said Westwood, who had been struggling with his putting recently.

"I got off to a slow start, level par after four holes, and felt I was one or two behind the field but kept hitting it close like I have been for the last few months.

"The greens are immaculate, the best I've played on in a while and if you start it on the right line it will go in. It was an advantage to be out early but you still have to take advantage and I did that," added Westwood.

Denmark’s Soren Hansen are is four shots off the lead on seven-under-par, while English pair Nick Dougherty and Simon Dyson are both in six-under-par.

Enigmatic American star John Daly is a further shot back on five-under-par and tournament promoter Bernhard Langer hit a solid three-under-par 69.