Apr19 Jaquelinleads in Asia

Raphael Jacquelin continues to enjoy a fine run of form after a six under 66 gave him an early one-stroke lead in the BMW Asian Open.

Jacquelin, second in Portugal three weeks ago, led last week at nearby Shanghai Silport at the halfway stage before falling away at the weekend but was back to his best on a breezy opening day.

Seven birdies with just the one dropped shot put him one clear of Soren Kjeldsen and two ahead of fellow Frenchman Gregory Havret, Australian Gavin Flint and Korean Lee Sung.

Eight-times European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie was another player who made a fine start with a three-under 69.

“I’m doing pretty well at the moment,” said Jacquelin, whose sole European Tour victory to date came in the 2005 Open de Madrid.

“I played well in Portugal as well and finished second and last week I did well the first two rounds but it was a bit more difficult over the weekend. But the way I hit the ball and the way I made a few putts today were pretty good. The winds were getting stronger later in the day and I’m happy to shoot six under today.

“It’s always good to shoot low in the first round and relax a bit and take the pressure off me. I’m going to play exactly the same tomorrow and take the same feelings that I’ve had over the last month and we’ll see.”

Montgomerie was one of the few players not to drop a shot on a morning of swirling winds and quite content with his steady start.

“Not much to talk about with no bogeys,” said the Scot after his round. “That’s great. That’s what I have always prided myself on over the years, no bogeys. Three birdies isn’t that much but it is very difficult out there. Very windy and the greens are firm and the pins are in difficult positions.

 “I finished third here last year, one off the play-off and hope to do a little bit better this year. I hit the ball well today. Didn’t putt well but three under is good with a number of chances which went away. I am in contention which what we want to do and I look forward to the rest of the week.”

World number eight Retief Goosen made a solid start, reaching the turn in two under, but struggled with to find his range on the greens coming home to lie at one under par 71. And John Daly struggled to a seven-over 79.