James Kingston grabbed a one-shot lead after the BMW PGA Championship first round at Wentworth on Thursday. South African Kingston sunk seven birdies and recorded only one bogey on a difficult windy day after receiving a sponsor&aposs invitation. The 47-year-old leads on six-under par courtesy of his opening 66, with Finn Mikko Ilonen one back on his own and a group of three players on four-under. One of those players, Austrian Martin Wiegele, still has five holes left to play after an afternoon delay for thunder and lightning at the Surrey course. Italian Matteo Manassero is another shot further back on three under par, together with Dane Thomas Bjorn and England&aposs Simon Khan. Reigning champion Luke Donald will want to forget the first round of his tournament defence after carding a six-over 78 that included a double bogey on the eighth hole. Sergio Garcia managed to put the Tiger Woods furore behind him with a level-par 72, the same score as four-time major champion Ernie Els and England&aposs Justin Rose. Rose&aposs rollercoaster round saw him sink five birdies, only for three bogeys and a double bogey on the last to peg him back for the day. World number two Rory McIlroy did not fare much better than Donald with the Northern Irishman bogeying five of the last six holes for a two-over 74. His compatriot Graeme McDowell was on course for a level-par 72, however he ran up a seven on the 18th to dent his chances of victory. Thongchai Jaidee, McDowell&aposs vanquished opponent in last week&aposs World Match Play Championship, also recorded a seven on the 18th in his 74. Ian Poulter carded a disappointing 76, despite an eagle on the fourth, while last week&aposs Madeira Islands Open winner Peter Uihlein ended the day on level par. Scotland&aposs Colin Montgomerie rolled back the years with a one-under 71, 2004 champion Scott Drummond going one better thanks to a classy 70. Ryder Cup players Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Paul Casey and Alvaro Quiros also start Friday&aposs second round on the two-under mark.
Author: Omnisport