Fraser and Lundberg out in front at The Belfry

9/25/2008

Marcus Fraser and Mikael Lundberg both hit five under par rounds of 67 to lead the Quinn Insurance British Masters at The Belfry.

But defending champion Lee Westwood is just a shot further back after opening with a four under par 68.

Australian Fraser, 115th on the money list and fully aware that only 115 players keep their cards at the end of the season, went to the turn in 31 early in the day.

By holding his position over the back nine the 30 year old, just back from a trip back home to see his pregnant wife Carlie, set a clubhouse target which only Lundberg, the Swede who won Inteco Russian Open Golf Championship for a second time in July, could match during the afternoon.

The Swede had six birdies and only one bogey – on the par three 14th – in an impressive round.

They are a stroke ahead of not only Westwood, but also fellow Englishman Sam Walker, Dane Anders Hansen, Argentina's Rafa Echenique and Scot Marc Warren.

As well as wanting to retain the title Westwood is looking to close the gap on Padraig Harrington at the top of The Order of Merit.

Echenique had been level par after 14 holes but produced four consecutive birdies in a blistering finish, while by contrast Walker hit four of his five birdies on the front nine.

Leaderboard – Round 1:

1. Marcus Fraser                        AUS  67 - 5
    Mikael Lundberg                   SWE  67 - 5
3. Rafa Echenique                     ARG  68 - 4
    Anders Hansen                      DEN  68 - 4
    Sam Walker                          ENG  68 - 4
    Marc Warren                         SCO  68 - 4
    Lee Westwood                       ENG  68 - 4
8. Thomas Björn                        DEN  69 - 3
    Michael Campbell                   NZL  69 - 3
    David Dixon                          ENG  69 - 3
    Mikko Ilonen                         FIN  69 - 3
    Paul Lawrie                           SCO  69 - 3
    Greg Owen                            ENG  69 - 3
    Jeev Milkha Singh                  IND  69 - 3

Source: European Tour