 | LEADERBOARD -8 T Bjorn (Den) -7 N Faldo (Eng) -6 S Gardiner (Aus), I Poulter (Eng), J Moseley (Aus) |
Thomas Bjorn surged past Nick Faldo to lead the Johnnie Walker Classic by one shot after round one in Bangkok. The Dane fired a stunning 64 to eclipse England's six-time major winner at the Alpine Golf and Sports Club.
Englishman Ian Poulter was third with Australian pair Scott Gardiner and Jarrod Moseley after a 66.
South Africa's defending champion Ernie Els struggled to a two-under-par 70, while Lee Westwood carded 72 and Colin Montgomerie had a 73.
Bjorn went out in 30 courtesy of four birdies and an eagle, and picked up a further three shots coming home, marred only by a bogey at the short 12th.
Faldo, intent on breaking back into Europe's Ryder Cup side this September, went out in one-under after starting at the 10th.
But he then fired six birdies on the way back, including four in a row from the second hole, to take an early lead.
America's Open champion Ben Curtis shot 68, while local favourite Thongchai Jaidee was five under with a 67.
England's Justin Rose ground out a level-par 72 and countryman Brian Davis took 71.
MMIX
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