Date: February 08, 2008
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Garrett takes control in first round

Australian glamour girl Nikki Garrett has shown substance to go with her style on the opening day of the ANZ Australian Ladies Masters on Friday. Garrett started the tournament at Queensland&aposs Royal Pines layout with a five-under-par round of 67 to take the outright at the close of the postponed opening round. The tournament was to begin on Thursday, but was reduced to 54 holes when rain washed out the opening 18 holes. Garrett kick-started her round with an eagle at the third and only gave one stroke back when she bogeyed the sixth. The 24-year-old holds a one-shot break on a group of seven players, including Englishwoman Johanna Head and her compatriot Lisa Hall. Australian amateur Kristie Smith continued her bright run of form with a round of 68 to begin. Defending champion Karrie Webb, who last week won the Australian Open, looked in familiar fine touch on her way to a round of 69. Webb birdied the first four holes of her round, but mixed three bogeys with another couple of birdies to close two shots off Garrett&aposs pace. Last year, Webb needed a course-record 62 on moving day to put her in position for a two-stroke win over Ji-Yai. Webb beat Shin on the second playoff hole on her way to a fourth Australian Open title at Kingston Heath in Melbourne. The world No.3 is locked in a share of 12th with fellow Australian Rachael Hetherington and a host of international raiders, including Carri Wood and Diana D&aposAlessio of the USA. Frenchwoman Sophie Giquel is also three-under-par.