World Tour Championship: Alejandro Canizares leads with Henrik Stenson close behind

Spain's Alejandro Canizares grabbed a one-shot lead after the first round of the DP World Tour Championship, but Race To Dubai leader Henrik Stenson lies just two back as he looks to add that to his FedEx Cup crown.

Canizares completed a six-under-par 66 at Jumeirah Golf Estates that proved enough to hold the first-round lead, with Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Australian Marcus Fraser sharing second place after they both bogeyed the final hole to slip to five under.

Nine players can still finish as European No 1, but Stenson can take everyone out of the equation with a win and he certainly remained in top form with a four-under first round of 68 - only soured on the 18th as he missed a short putt for par.

Stenson was immaculate from tee to green throughout his round but that bogey six on the last saw him drop two shots behind the lead, although the Swede was not too disheartened by his finish.

"I played really solid, hit a lot of good putts but the greens are very quick and tough, I maybe lost a bit of focus on the last putt but overall I was happy with the way I played," said Stenson.

Contenders

That slip saw Stenson share fourth place alongside Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Jamie Donaldson - with the Welshman in close order as he needs at least a second-placed finish to stand a chance of topping the money list.

Ian Poulter's eyes would have lit up after seeing Stenson drop that shot at the last, which meant he was just one stroke behind with his 69 after a mixed day on the lightning quick putting surfaces at the Earth Course.

"I'm a bit annoyed, I missed a good few putts today but I've got plenty left in the tank for the next few rounds so that's a positive," said Poulter, who if he wins in Dubai would force Stenson to finish second to stop him taking the crown.

"I'm playing as well as I've ever played I think, and I'm as confident as I've ever been so I'll just keep playing the way I have been playing of late - that's trying to birdie every hole."

Even the slight glimpse of a chink in the Stenson armour will also fire up playing partner on the day Justin Rose, who finished two shots behind him and four off the lead on two-under - the same mark as Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and last week's winner Victor Dubuisson.

Battling G-Mac

Graeme McDowell is the only other golfer in the field that controls his own destiny, with a win meaning he would top the European money list, and he had to battle hard with three straight back-nine birdies only helping him to finish his round on level par.

Fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy had three birdies and two bogeys on an eventful front nine, before a quieter run home with just the one dropped shot on the last in his one-under round of 71.

"I feel like I played better than the score suggested and turned a 67 into a 71," said McIlroy, who won both money list titles in American and Europe last year but was down in 46th heading to Dubai this time around.

"I got off to a great start, was three under par through four and playing really nicely and then got on a run of pars on the back nine. I had chances at the 10th, 14th, 15th and 16th and I'm coming off the course disappointed but I know there is a good score out there."

The remaining three players who can still mathematically finish European No 1 are all still decently placed, with Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano one one-under, Richard Sterne on two-under and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee even more in the mix at three-under.

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Carlos Del Moral extends lead ahead of final day of European Tour Qualifying School

Carlos Del Moral will go into the final day of the European Tour Qualifying School with a four-shot lead after carding a fifth-round 65 at the PGA Catalunya Resort.

The seven-under-par round helped the Spaniard extend his overnight lead by three shots over Fabrizio Zanotti as he fired eight birdies and his first bogey in 35 holes at the 16th to reach the clubhouse on 21-under.

"I'm not stressed at all on that course," Del Moral, who is looking to qualify for the fourth time in six years, told the European Tour website. "I'm playing every shot really calm and positive and I'm not making many mistakes out there.

"I feel like if I have any putts between five and 10 metres I have a chance so I don't need to go for pins and when you don't have to go for pins it's a lot easier.

"I have got a lot of trust in my putter and hopefully it will be the same (on Friday)."

An eagle at the par five 15th was the highlight of the day for Zanotti, who shot a 68 to sit four clear of England's James Morrison and Italy's Marco Crespi, who are in a tie for third on 13-under.

There are 32 players, including 11 rookies, in contention to earn a 2014 European Tour card, with the top 25 and ties qualifying.

Stuart Manley, on 12 under par, and fellow Britons Alastair Forsyth and and Adam Gee, one shot further back, appear well poised to qualify.

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Adam Scott two off the lead at Australian Masters

Adam Scott made a solid start to the defence of his Australian Masters title after opening with a four-under 67 in damp and blustery conditions at Royal Melbourne.

The Masters champion lies two shots behind surprise leader Nick Cullen, who carded an eagle and six birdies in a sparkling 65.

Scott, surrounded by huge galleries, started at the 10th and picked up an early birdie at 13 before reeling off six straight pars.

The 33-year-old then stormed into the outright lead with four consecutive birdies from the first, but his ball striking let him down over the closing holes and he blotted his card with a bogey at eight.

Scott signed off with a par before heading straight to the practice area, although he admitted afterwards that he was generally satisfied with his performance.

"I think 67 around here is a good score," said the world No 2, who cruised to the Australian PGA title last week.

"I felt like I left a couple out there but my game is in pretty good shape and four rounds like that might go a long way this week."

Scott's opener earned him a share of the clubhouse lead with German Maximilian Kieffer, but both were upstaged by the unheralded Cullen.

Amazing

The Adelaide professional, whose brother Dan played Test cricket for Australia, leapt into contention when he chipped in for eagle at the 11th before rolling in birdie putts at 12, 13 and 17.

The 29-year-old took the gloss off an excellent day with a bogey at the last, but he said afterwards: "I think it's an amazing golf course and I'm really loving it here this week.

"Any time you can shoot 65 on a course like this you have to be happy."

American Ryder Cup star Matt Kuchar laboured to a level-par 72, while Jarrod Lyle returned to action for the first time since March 2012 after undergoing treatment for leukemia.

The popular Australian, a regular on the PGA Tour, understandably struggled to keep his emotions in check on the first tee and mixed three birdies with four bogeys in a creditable 73.

"It was a feeling I thought I would never experience again," Lyle said. "The emotions overtook me on the first tee.

"It's something I always dreamed of, having my daughter at a tournament. It was great she got to see what I do."

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OHL Classic: Brian Stuard leads after weather-hit opening day in Mayakoba

American Brian Stuard has set the pace in the early stages of a weather-affected opening day at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

Play was delayed for more than an hour in the morning due to lightning and when the inclement weather suspended play early, only 14 players had managed to complete their opening rounds.

But it was Stuard, who had completed 15 holes when play was stopped for a second time, who led the way on five-under.

The 30-year-old had reached the turn in 33 with four birdies and a bogey and picked up two further shots on the back nine to lead the field by one.

Fellow American Erik Compton was in second position having completed 17 holes alongside Spaniard Alviro Quiros, who had four more to play.

Veteran Jeff Maggert and Harris English were in a group of four players still out on the course at three under while the clubhouse lead was jointly held by Matt Jones, Will MacKenzie and Len Mattiace - who were in a group of six a shot further back.

Former Open champion Justin Leonard was also sat on two under with just the 18th to negotiate.

Amongst those yet to get out on the course in Mexico were defending champion John Huh, Colombian Camilo Villegas and Swede Robert Karlsson.

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Annika Sorenstam named 2013 PGA First Lady of Golf

Annika Sorenstam has been named the 2013 PGA First Lady of Golf by the PGA of America.

The 43-year-old Swede becomes the first non-American to win the biennial award as she was recognised for her outstanding achievements both on and off the course.

Sorenstam won 89 tournaments worldwide during her glittering career, including 10 major titles, and she remains the all-time leading money winner on the LPGA Tour with earnings of over $22m.

She is also the second-highest points scorer in the Solheim Cup, posting a record of 22 wins, 11 defeats and four halved matches in her eight appearances for Europe.

Sorenstam won her 72nd and final LPGA Tour title in 2008 before announcing her retirement, and she has since set up a number of businesses including a teaching academy, a golf course design firm and a financial-planning group.

She is also the spokesperson for a charity which encourages children to live a healthy, active lifestyle through improved fitness and nutrition.

"Annika's impact upon women's golf in the modern era has been remarkable, setting a standard that may never be touched," said PGA of America President Ted Bishop.

"Her commitment to fitness and excellence made her a legend on the course, but her legacy in the game also includes a sincere dedication to growing a healthy next generation and inspiring future young women through golf.

"The PGA is honored to now call her the 2013 PGA First Lady of Golf."

Sorenstam added: "I have been so fortunate throughout my life to have people who helped pave the way for me to work hard and exceed my goals on and off the course.

"I truly feel like I am living a dream and want to help the next generation do the same.

"It's gratifying that The PGA of America has taken notice of our programming that offers junior girls the opportunity to play first-class tournaments around the world, while also educating them about the importance of health and wellness. I'm flattered to be named the 2013 PGA First Lady of Golf."

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Graeme McDowell wants firm and fast conditions at DP World Tour Championship

Graeme McDowell is counting on firm and fast conditions to propel him to the Race to Dubai crown at this week's DP World Tour Championship.

The former US Open champion has struggled over the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in previous years, but conditions this season appear more suited to his game.

McDowell is one of three players along with current money list leader Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose who can be crowned European No 1 with victory in the season finale in Dubai.

"I do feel like I've stood in the (score) recording area out there and had a moan and a whine and maybe explained why I don't get around this course very well," McDowell said.

"But I come here with an open mind this week. I come here certainly as a player who I feel is getting better and learning and I'm experience enough to not write myself off around a golf course until I've had a few rounds under my belt.

"The golf course is firmer and faster this year which I think is going to suit me. The rough is penal. The course has matured, hopefully as well as I have, and I'm ready to see what I can do with an open mind this week."

McDowell was second in the Race to Dubai until missing last week's Turkish Airlines Open, where Justin Rose finished joint third to overtake him while Ian Poulter was fifth to close the gap on the Northern Irishman.

Motivated

"I didn't have any second thoughts about whether I should be in Turkey or not, but I looked at the leaderboard and I was like 'Really? Those guys have to play well this week"' McDowell added.

"But regardless of whether I was in Turkey or not, I would still be here this week controlling my own destiny and nothing has changed. I let my nearest competitors get a little further in front of me or catch up, but it doesn't change my strategy this week. I have to play well, I have to compete.

A number of European golfers compete to find the green from their hotel balcony in the DP World Tour Championship Atlantis Golf Challenge.

"You don't get many opportunities in a career to win an Order of Merit, a true order of merit. It's certainly something I'd love to add to my resume. A win here this week will take care of all business and I'm feeling fresh and motivated and excited to see what I can do here this week."

Ernie Els hit out at the European Tour last week for forcing players to compete in at least two of the first three Final Series events to be eligible to play in Dubai.

Chief executive George O'Grady is expected to announce changes to the qualifying criteria on Sunday, and McDowell insisted the Tour need time to get the "close to perfect".

"The premise is there, the premise is right," he added. "Four extremely strong events to finish off the European Tour season and the Tour certainly needs to be granted the time and a little bit of leniency to get it right, because it's not easy to please everyone."

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Justin Rose focused on becoming European No 1 for second time

Justin Rose hopes he is "strong enough" to become European No 1 for the second time as he prepares for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

The US Open champion trails Race to Dubai leader Henrik Stenson by 213,000 euros and needs a top-five finish to have any chance of overhauling the Swede.

Rose and Graeme McDowell would top the money list with a win in Dubai regardless of where Stenson finishes, and the Englishman is determined to end a memorable year on another high note.

"It's a big motivation," said Rose, who has been made an honorary life member of the European Tour following his historic major victory at Merion in June.

"I feel like this is the modern era if you like. I won it in 2007 as the Order of Merit and now it's the Race to Dubai.

"I've never held the trophy, even if my name is on it. I'd like to see if I'm strong enough to pick up this new trophy. It's a big goal and it's a goal that presents itself as the season progresses.

Foundations

"At the beginning of the year you can dream up winning it, but it only really becomes an option once you've played some good golf.

"I think 2007 came a bit out of the blue. It was a bit of an anomaly. I think this year has been built on a lot more solid foundations and therefore maybe means more."

Atlantis Golf Challenge.

Rose finished second to Rory McIlroy in both this tournament and the Race to Dubai last year, the Englishman carding a brilliant final round of 62 only to see McIlroy finish with five straight birdies to win by two shots.

"Even if I had won this tournament last year, which I thought I had for a brief amount of time, the Race to Dubai was all wrapped up," Rose added. "Whereas this year I think it's shaping up for a really exciting finish.

"Two good weeks for me in Shanghai and Turkey have put myself in the position where I need to be, where I control my own fate with being able to win this tournament. But there's a lot of permutations that can happen."

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Carlos del Moral cards 63 at the European Tour's Qualifying School in Spain

Spaniard Carlos del Moral carded a sparkling nine-under-par 63 as he swept to the top of the leaderboard on the fourth day of the European Tour's Qualifying School in northern Spain.

With two rounds still to play, the 28-year-old from Valencia holds a one-stroke advantage over Fabrizio Zanotti and Daniel Brooks, both of whom enjoyed bogey-free days over the Stadium Course at Girona.

New leader del Moral, who teed off in a tie-for-26th, posted seven birdies and an eagle in 13 holes from the third to put himself in pole position to re-claim his Tour card.

Paraguay's Zanotti shot 68, while Englishman Brooks had a 66.

At the end of 108 holes on Friday, the leading 25 pros and ties will earn their cards for the 2014 season.

At present, the leading 35 players are separated by just seven strokes with Wednesday's cut leaving 71 golfers to fight it out over the final 36 holes.

The last two rounds will be staged over the Stadium Course, which shared duties with the Tour course over the first four days, and this pleases del Moral whose caddy this week is his girlfriend.

He said: "I feel much more comfortable playing this tougher Stadium Course.

"I just feel a lot looser playing it. The Tour course feels a little smaller.

Tougher

"I'm looking forward to the next two rounds on this course, especially when the other guys seem to think it is tougher.

"I know it sounds silly but I don't feel like that. I seem to know this one much better."

As for some of the bigger names returning on Thursday for the fifth round, 2008 Ryder Cup rookie Oliver Wilson is tied-for-36th and remains well in the hunt.

Wilson is one stroke behind Bradley Dredge, Fredrik Andersson Hed and Richard Finch.

One of those scraping into the final two rounds is Ben Evans who covered the back nine on Wednesday in 31 shots - including a birdie three at the last - to make the cut without a stroke to spare. At two-under-par, Evans is 12 strokes adrift of del Moral.

But disappointment for a trio of three-time European Tour winners Pablo Martin, Johan Edfors and Nick Dougherty.

Martin, whose fourth round 65 closed him to within three shots of the cut mark, will rue a 78 on Tuesday, while Edfors and Dougherty missed out by nine and 11 strokes respectively.

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Adam Scott wants to become the dominant player at the Masters

Adam Scott is determined to emulate Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson and become a dominant figure at the Masters.

Scott became the first Australian to win at Augusta when he edged out former champion Angel Cabrera in a tense play-off in April.

The victory was his first major after a number of near misses, most notably at the Open Championship last year when he blew a four-shot lead with four holes to play to gift the title to Ernie Els.

But after fulfilling years of promise in the first major of the year, Scott now believes he can match the feats of Woods and Mickelson, who have seven Green Jackets between them.

"I've really felt the last few years my level of understanding of that golf course grew and then obviously culminated in winning this year," Scott said.

Momentum

"I'm really looking forward to going back and I feel I have an opportunity to develop even more there and become a dominant player like a Phil Mickelson or a Tiger Woods there.

"I have the opportunity, I'm not saying I'm going to.

"But I've got a bit of momentum going so I'm really looking forward to that."

Scott is defending his Australian Masters title at Royal Melbourne this week, and he believes his victory at Kingston Heath last season was a crucial step in ending his long quest for a major at Augusta.

"People say you haven't achieved everything in golf unless you've won the Open at St Andrew's," he added.

"But for an Australian I think to win a tournament at Royal Melbourne is the same kind of thing and I'd love to do that."

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Golf-U.S. PGA Tour Mayakoba Golf Classic scores

Scores from the U.S. PGA Tour Mayakoba Golf Classic at the par-71 course on Thursday in Playa del Carmen
	played rounds	Holes
-5	Brian Stuard (U.S.)	15
-4	Erik Compton (U.S.)	17
	Alvaro Quiros (Spain)	15
-3	Josh Teater (U.S.)	17
	Harris English (U.S.)	17
	Jeff Maggert (U.S.)	15
	Jamie Lovemark (U.S.)	12
-2	Matt Jones (Australia)	18	69
	Will MacKenzie (U.S.)	18	69
	Len Mattiace (U.S.)	18	69
	Justin Leonard (U.S.)	17
	Kevin Stadler (U.S.)	2
-1	Joe Durant (U.S.)	18	70
	Tag Ridings (U.S.)	17
	Brendan Steele (U.S.)	17
	Tim Clark (South Africa)	15
	Davis Love III (U.S.)	15
	Jerry Kelly (U.S.)	14
	Jeff Overton (U.S.)	13
	Tim Wilkinson (New Zealand)	13
	Chad Collins (U.S.)	13
	Tyrone Van Aswegen (South Africa)	12
	Ben Martin (U.S.)	12
0	Brian Davis (Britain)	18	71
	Tim Petrovic (U.S.)	18	71
	Charley Hoffman (U.S.)	17
	Brian Gay (U.S.)	15
	Mark Calcavecchia (U.S.)	14
	Luke Guthrie (U.S.)	14
	Brian Harman (U.S.)	14
	James Hahn (U.S.)	13
	Danny Lee (New Zealand)	12
	Jim Herman (U.S.)	12
	Hudson Swafford (U.S.)	12
	Jordi Garcia Pinto (Spain)	12
	Daniel Summerhays (U.S.)	1
	Jason Bohn (U.S.)	1
	Esteban Toledo (Mexico)	1
1	John Rollins (U.S.)	18	72
	Mike Weir (Canada)	17
	Kevin Na (U.S.)	17
	Kyle Stanley (U.S.)	15
	Stuart Appleby (Australia)	15
	Darren Clarke (Britain)	15
	Briny Baird (U.S.)	15
	Cameron Tringale (U.S.)	14
	Heath Slocum (U.S.)	13
	Kevin Tway (U.S.)	13
	Andrew Svoboda (U.S.)	12
	Will Claxton (U.S.)	11
	Morgan Hoffmann (U.S.)	1
	Ryan Palmer (U.S.)	2
	Andres Romero (Argentina)	2
	Lee Dong-Hwan (South Korea)	1
2	John Senden (Australia)	18	73
	Blake Adams (U.S.)	18	73
	George McNeill (U.S.)	15
	Lee Williams (U.S.)	13
3	Troy Matteson (U.S.)	18	74
	Joe Ogilvie (U.S.)	18	74
	Johnson Wagner (U.S.)	15
	Trevor Immelman (South Africa)	14
	Chesson Hadley (U.S.)	12
	Alex Prugh (U.S.)	11
	Brooks Koepka (U.S.)	11
4	Fred Funk (U.S.)	18	75
	Harrison Frazar (U.S.)	16
	Scott Piercy (U.S.)	17
	Alex Aragon (U.S.)	13
	Robert Garrigus (U.S.)	1
5	Ricky Barnes (U.S.)	18	76
	Scott Verplank (U.S.)	17
6	Steven Bowditch (Australia)	18	77
	Steve Marino (U.S.)	18	77
7	Bronson La'Cassie (Australia)	13
	TOP10 AFTER COMPLETE ROUND
-2	Matt Jones (Australia)	69
	Will MacKenzie (U.S.)	69
	Len Mattiace (U.S.)	69
-1	Joe Durant (U.S.)	70
	Par Brian Davis (Britain)	71
	Tim Petrovic (U.S.)	71
1	John Rollins (U.S.)	72
2	John Senden (Australia)	73
	Blake Adams (U.S.)	73
3	Troy Matteson (U.S.)	74
	Joe Ogilvie (U.S.)	74

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Golf-Cullen steals Scott's thunder to lead Australian Masters

Unheralded local player Nick Cullen upstaged defending champion Adam Scott by shooting a sparkling six-under 65 to take a two-shot lead after the opening round of the Australian Masters on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Cullen, ranked well outside the world's top 300, grabbed a share of the lead with compatriot Scott after a sublime chip-in for eagle on the par-four 11th, then left the U.S. Masters champion in his wake by rolling in three more birdies on a chilly, blustery day at Royal Melbourne.

Having long lived in the shadow of twin brother Dan, an elite cricketer who played a test match for Australia, Cullen was tickled to see his name at the top of the leaderboard above the headline act.

"I think it's an amazing golf course and I'm really loving it here this week," the Adelaide professional told reporters after offsetting two bogeys with six birdies at the famed sandbelt course.

Enjoying a rich vein of form, Scott teed off early and carded a solid four-under 67 to sit tied for second with German Maximilian Kieffer.

The world number two caught fire with four straight birdies in the middle of his round, thrilling hundreds of fans that stuck by him through a drizzly morning, but he marched straight to the practice range to bash a few dozen balls in frustration after his ball-striking wavered in the closing holes.

"Sixty-seven around here is a good score," Scott said after a five-birdie round marred only by a solitary bogey on his second-last hole.

"I felt like I left a couple out there but my game is in pretty good shape and four rounds like that might go a long way this week."

Having won the Australian PGA Championship at a canter on Sunday, the 33-year-old remains well-placed to sweep the country's three marquee tournaments, with the national Open title in Sydney to come.

Little-known Kieffer made a mockery of the adage that practice makes perfect as he joined Scott on four-under despite having never played the course's back nine.

On his first trip Down Under to play the World Cup of Golf for Germany, the 23-year-old missed out on a hit on the back nine in the lead-up due to jet-lag and poor weather, but relied on caddy Graeme Heinrich, a Melbourne man and publisher of golf course yardage books, to talk him through the layout.

"My expectations were very low because my preparation was not as it should be but it was good fun and a good learning experience," Kieffer said.

World number eight Matt Kuchar, who will defend his World Cup of Golf title for the United States, this time with Kevin Streelman, at the same course next week, is six behind Cullen after battling to an even-par 71.

Former world number one Vijay Singh cancelled out four birdies with five bogeys on the way to a scratchy 72 to be a further stroke adrift.

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Golf-Singh says not ready to swing with the grey-hair set

Bullying golf's ageing luminaries on the PGA's Champions Tour is an option that sprightly 50-year-old Vijay Singh would rather not take as he battles to rebuild confidence following a troubled year marred by a doping controversy.

The big Fijian made his Champions Tour debut in Hawaii in September but was not enamoured of the experience, and still fancies himself a threat on the regular tour despite five years without a win.

"I played one (Champion's event) a couple of months ago. It was different," the former world number one told reporters on Wednesday at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, where he will contest this week's Australian Masters against reigning champion Adam Scott and world number eight Matt Kuchar.

"I'm not looking really forward to playing there at the moment."

The last of Hall of Famer Singh's 34 U.S. PGA Tour titles was the Deutsche Bank Championship in 2008, but the three-times major champion showed he was far from a spent force with a runner-up finish at the season-opening Frys.com Open.

That was followed by a T23 result at the Las Vegas Open and a disappointing missed cut at McGladrey Classic in Georgia at the weekend, but Singh feels confident enough about his game to dismiss his last result as a blip.

"My game's pretty good right now. I had a pretty ordinary season last and a couple before that with a couple of operations on my knee," he said.

"But this is the first year that I feel like I'm able to compete again and my games coming around.

"I've changed a little bit on my golf swing and I've gained a few yards and that's a big factor in the regular tour.

"I've got a new caddie, and gone back to the short putter so I'm really excited and looking forward."

Singh's year continues to be overshadowed by a doping case that broke in January when he admitted to using a spray that contained small extracts of IGF-1, a growth hormone on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) list of prohibited substances, to treat an injury.

He was initially found by the PGA Tour to have breached the sport's doping rules but was later cleared of any wrongdoing after winning an appeal.

The legal action is ongoing, and though Singh blamed the controversy for affecting his game, he said he was no longer playing with "negative" feelings.

"It kind of messed up my whole season so the best thing I told myself is just focus on what I know best which is just playing golf," said Singh, who makes his return to Royal Melbourne since the 2011 President's Cup.

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Golf-Let the good times roll, says red-hot Scott

Adam Scott will appreciate some time off to stop and smell the roses after a breakthrough year and a maiden major trophy at the U.S. Masters, but the Australian may find it hard to quit while enjoying some of the best form of his career.

The world number two tees up for the second week of a month-long swing of his home country at the Australian Masters this week, where he will defend the title he credits for easing the crushing disappointment of last year's British Open and setting up his Augusta triumph.

Scott blitzed a modest field to win the Australian PGA Championship last week in his former Gold Coast home, and his homecoming continues at Royal Melbourne from Thursday where he will take on American world number eight Matt Kuchar and Fijian three-time major champion Vijay Singh.

Children mobbed Scott as he donned the famed green jacket of an Augusta winner at the Gold Coast, and the amiable 33-year-old was itching to show it off again for Melbourne fans.

"It's down here this week. Hopefully the weather improves a little bit and I'll be able to bring it out a little bit for everyone to see," Scott told reporters on Wednesday after completing nine holes of the pro-am in miserable, rainy weather.

"It doesn't get seen much down here, so I'm trying to get it out as much as possible, not get it too dirty.

"Just the golf fan in me, when you see it and you stop and think about it, it's amazing that it's actually in the wardrobe and I get to travel around with it.

"Maybe also for an Australian it's the holy grail of golf because we've been trying for it for so long ... I get to wear it around the house or in a hotel room, it's quite surreal actually."

OPEN MELTDOWN

Scott returns to Melbourne a far different golfer to the pensive character of a year ago, who was plagued by questions about his mental fortitude in the wake of his British Open meltdown.

Scott blew a four-stroke lead with four holes to play at Lytham to gift South African Ernie Els the win.

At Kingston Heath last year, another showpiece course on Melbourne's famed sandbelt, Scott won the local Masters after an enthralling, weekend-long tussle with British Ryder Cup player Ian Poulter, one of the world's finest exponents of matchplay.

The manner of victory, closing it out in the last few holes, preserved the Australian's record of winning at least one title every year.

After putting on the winner's 'gold jacket', Scott quipped the green one would be next.

"Closing out the tournament was obviously the big deal to me after what happened at Lytham," Scott said.

"To stand there with a couple-shot lead with three to play and close the tournament out in solid fashion was important because I certainly didn't want to make a habit of letting tournaments slip.

"If I didn't have that experience and I had to fall back on Lytham, it might have been a really different mindset (at Augusta), so that was important.

Scott will play at the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne next week before closing out his tour Down Under at the Australian Open in Sydney ahead of a well-deserved break with family and friends.

Scott, however, was already relishing the prospect of returning to the U.S. tour to pursue his goal of completing a career grand slam of golf's majors.

"I want to keep competing and try to push myself at the moment," said Scott, whose driving and iron-play was on fire at Royal Pines last week.

"My game is probably as good as it has been.

"I'm really looking forward to going back and I feel like I have an opportunity to develop even more there and become a dominant player like a Phil Mickelson or a Tiger Woods there.

"I have the opportunity, I'm not saying I'm going to (do it), but I've got a bit of momentum going, so I'm really looking forward to going back and having a chance to win another major."

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Stuard leads rain-affected OHL Classic in Mexico

Unheralded American Brian Stuard held a one-shot lead midway through a rain-interrupted first round of the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Mexico, as he looks to go one better than his career best finish in Playa del Carmen.

Stuard, who was tied for second in the 2010 event at El Camaleon Golf Club for his best result on the PGA tour, was five-under-par through 15 holes on Thursday before play was halted due to heavy rain.

With play suspended for two hours and twenty minutes early in the day and then again in the early afternoon, only 15 players in the 132-man field completed the first round with 57 players still to begin play.

The 30-year-old Stuard notched up six birdies on the Greg Norman designed layout with just one bogey to lead double heart-transplant recipient Erik Compton and Spain's Alvaro Quiros by one shot.

Compton had played 17 holes and Quiros was through 15.

Australia's Matt Jones and Americans Will MacKenzie and Len Mattiace were the best of the few players to have finished their rounds, carding two-under 69s to be tied for eighth.

Americans Josh Teater (17 holes), Harris English (17 holes), Jeff Maggert (15 holes) and Jamie Lovemark (12 holes) were tied for fourth at three-under-par.

Defending champion John Huh and Robert Allenby, the man he beat in an eight-hole playoff last year, were among the players who had not started their rounds.

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LPGA: Phatlum shoots 66 first round lead in Mexico

Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum shot a 6-under round of 66 to take a one shot lead over South Korea's Amy Yang after the first round of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Top-ranked Inbee Park from South Korea was two shots off the pace after posting an opening-round score of 68 at the Guadalajara Country Club. She is in a group of three golfers at 4-under that includes Sweden's Anna Nordqvist and South Korea's So Yeon Ryu.

Another shot back is American Michelle Wie and South Korea's Jenny Shin at 3-under. World No. 2 Suzann Pettersen from Sweden is among five golfers at 2-under, while third-ranked Stacy Lewis from the United States shot an even-par round of 72 on Thursday.

Phatlum is seeking her first career LPGA title. She got off to a hot start with birdies on each of the first three holes, and needed just 25 putts for the round.

"Well, today, my putting was very good," said Phatlum. "I had a complete game today."

Park remains in good contention as she chases her seventh victory of the season in the 36-player field.

"My ball striking was really good today," said Park. "I hardly missed any shots out there today, I didn't miss any fairways and probably missed only a couple greens but I was getting some muddy balls there and just didn't know where it was going to fly. I left a couple of putts out there today and I had a lot of opportunities. My ball striking was really good today though so hopefully I can keep it going the next three days."

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Cullen steals Scott's thunder to lead Australian Masters

MELBOURNE - Unheralded local player Nick Cullen upstaged defending champion Adam Scott by shooting a sparkling six-under 65 to take a two-shot lead after the opening round of the Australian Masters on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Cullen, ranked well outside the world's top 300, grabbed a share of the lead with compatriot Scott after a sublime chip-in for eagle on the par-four 11th, then left the U.S. Masters champion in his wake by rolling in three more birdies on a chilly, blustery day at Royal Melbourne.

Having long lived in the shadow of twin brother Dan, an elite cricketer who played a test match for Australia, Cullen was tickled to see his name at the top of the leader board above the headline act.

"I think it's an amazing golf course and I'm really loving it here this week," the Adelaide professional told reporters after offsetting two bogeys with six birdies at the famed sand belt course.

Enjoying a rich vein of form, Scott teed off early and carded a solid four-under 67 to sit tied for second with German Maximilian Kieffer.

The world number two caught fire with four straight birdies in the middle of his round, thrilling hundreds of fans that stuck by him through a drizzly morning, but he marched straight to the practice range to bash a few dozen balls in frustration after his ball-striking wavered in the closing holes.

"Sixty-seven around here is a good score," Scott said after a five-birdie round marred only by a solitary bogey on his second-last hole.

"I felt like I left a couple out there but my game is in pretty good shape and four rounds like that might go a long way this week."

Having won the Australian PGA Championship at a canter on Sunday, the 33-year-old remains well-placed to sweep the country's three marquee tournaments, with the national Open title in Sydney to come.

Little-known Kieffer made a mockery of the adage that practice makes perfect as he joined Scott on four-under despite having never played the course's back nine.

On his first trip Down Under to play the World Cup of Golf for Germany, the 23-year-old missed out on a hit on the back nine in the lead-up due to jet-lag and poor weather, but relied on caddy Graeme Heinrich, a Melbourne man and publisher of golf course yardage books, to talk him through the layout.

"My expectations were very low because my preparation was not as it should be but it was good fun and a good learning experience," Kieffer said.

World number eight Matt Kuchar, who will defend his World Cup of Golf title for the United States, this time with Kevin Streelman, at the same course next week, is six behind Cullen after battling to an even-par 71.

Former world number one Vijay Singh cancelled out four birdies with five bogeys on the way to a scratchy 72 to be a further stroke adrift.

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Manila Masters to go ahead despite typhoon disaster

The inaugural Manila Masters golf tournament will go ahead this week, despite the unprecedented disaster caused by Typhoon Haiyan, the Asian Tour said on Wednesday.

The super typhoon, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, killed thousands and displaced 670,000 people, leaving them with no access to food, water or medicine.

The storm flattened Tacloban, coastal capital of Leyte province, where several local officials have said they feared 10,000 people died, many drowning in a tsunami-like surge of seawater.

The Tour consulted with local golf associations, authorities and relief agencies and decided to continue with the $750,000 event to be held at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club from Thursday.

"The people in this country are resilient and they have shown countless times that they are able to bounce back stronger," Stephen Reilly, chief operating officer of title sponsors Resorts World Manila, said in a statement.

"Through this tournament, we want to show that the Filipinos are survivors and we'll get back on our feet quickly."

Organizers also plan to raise funds and support relief authorities through the event.

"We feel for the people affected by this unfortunate tragedy and hope that through the staging of this tournament, and through our support of aid and relief programs, we will be able to help in whatever way possible," Asian Tour Chief Executive Mike Kerr added.

Two-time PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra said the players wanted to do their bit for the affected people.

"I've always wanted to play at Manila Southwoods again and furthermore, I thought the Philippines needs help right now," Chopra, who is born to a Swedish mother and Indian father, said.

"It was an easy decision for me to make between playing here or back on the PGA Tour in Mexico. We've got the Red Cross here this week so hopefully some of the players here can provide some sort of support financially to help the victims."

Local hope Angelo Que also promised help.

"Unfortunately, the typhoon has to happen but we're all good to help. I think it's a good thing that all players get together and help out," Que, a three-time winner on the Asian Tour, said.

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