Port Stephens, Feb 13: Australia's Nick O'Hern was the first round leader on plus 18 points ahead of Briton John Bickerton on plus 16. Both shot eight-under-par 64 at the Horizons Golf Resort north of Sydney. Australia's U.S. Amateur champion Nick Flanagan and Briton Steve Webster were equal third on plus 14.
Left-hander O'Hern, who tied for second four points behind Briton Paul Casey in last year's ANZ Championship, fired four birdies and two eagles in his opening round.
The 32-year-old Western Australian, chipped in for eagles on the 12th and 16th holes, both par-fives.
Players receive eight points for an albatross, five for an eagle, two for a birdie, none for a par, minus one for a bogey and minus three for a multiple bogey.


Leading scores after Thursday's first round of the ANZ Championship modified stableford event at the par-72 Horizons Resort Golf Course, north of Sydney (Australia unless stated): +18 points Nick O'Hern +16 John Bickerton (Britain) +14 Nick Flanagan, Steve Webster (Britain) +13 Peter Hedblom (Sweden) +12 Joakim Haeggman (Sweden), Mark Foster (Britain), Peter O'Malley +11 Henrik Stenson (Sweden), Michael Campbell (New Zealand),Andrew Tschudin +10 Nathan Green, Richard Green, Michael Long (New Zealand), Henrik Bjornstad (Norway) +9 Thomas Levet (France), Matthew Goggin, Miles Tunnicliff (Britain) +8 Gareth Paddison (New Zealand), David Smail (New Zealand), Eddie Lee (New Zealand), Stephen Gallacher (Britain).


Note: Players receive eight points for an albatross, five for an eagle, two for a birdie, none for a par, minus one for a bogey and minus three for a multiple-bogey.


Bureau Report