Date: January 11, 2008
Author:

Aussies in chasing pack

Scott Barr and Terry Pilkadaris are the best placed Australians after the opening round of the Joburg Open in South Africa. The pair both battled with rainy conditions at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club and finished the day at three-over par. South Africans Tyrone Ferreira and Mark Murless share the lead at six-under par. Ferreira completed a bogey-free round of 65 while Murless, who finished in a tie for fourth at the 2007 Joburg Open, carded seven birdies and one bogey. Englishman Ross McGowan, Spain&aposs Pablo Larrazabal and Welshman Sion Bebb are one stroke behind at five-under par. A host of players including South Africa&aposs Oliver Becker and Paraguay&aposs Marco Ruiz are a further stroke back after carding four-under par rounds of 67. New Zealand&aposs Steve Alker is well back from the leaders at four-over par.