Date: January 26, 2007
Author: Sportal

Senden in contention

John Senden has fired an eight-under par round of 64 to be three strokes from the lead after the opening round of the Buick Invitational in California. The Australian carded four birdies on the front nine before exploding with an eagle-birdie-birdie sequence down the 14th to the 16th hole stretch, to complete a bogey-free round. Senden is in equal third position alongside American Jeff Quinney and remains in strong contention to take home a big slice of the $6.6 million prize purse and steal plenty of the 25,000 Fed Ex Cup points on offer at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Brandt Snedecker is blitzing the field after shooting a near flawless 11-under par round of 61 to lead Korea&aposs Charlie Wi by two strokes. The American started slowly with a two-under par front nine before unleashing a birdie blitz on the back nine, scoring seven in total as well as landing an eagle on the 14th hole. Gavin Coles is the next best Australian in the field at seven-under par only one stroke behind compatriot Senden and four behind the overall leader. World No. 1 Tiger Woods remains in touch with the leaders after shooting a six-under par 66 as does Australian Andrew Buckle who is alongside the golfing great on the scoreboard. First round results from the Buick Invitational (par 72) -11: Brandt Snedecker 61 -9: Charlie Wi 63 -8: John Senden (Australia) 64, Jeff Quinney 64 -7: Jose Maria Olazabal 65, Kevin Sutherland 65, Chris Couch 65, Cliff Kresge 65, Johnson Wagner 65, Stephen Marino 65, Darron Stiles 65, Gavin Coles (Australia) 65, Robert Garrigus 65 Also: -6: Andrew Buckle (Australia) 66 -5: Steve Allan (Australia) 67, Paul Sheehan (Australia) 67 -3: Nathan Green (Australia) 69 -2: Mark Hensby (Australia) 70, Robert Allenby (Australia) 70, Jarrod Lyle (Australia) 70 -1: Paul Gow (Australia) 71, Matthew Goggin (Australia) 71, Stephen Leaney (Australia) 71 E: Rod Pampling (Australia) 72 +1: Peter Lonard (Australia) 73