ADAM SCOTT and Louis Oosthuizen shot 7-under 65s to lead the 2012 World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions after the first round.
Scott played the back nine first and turned at 2-under with three birdies and a bogey before warming up on his closing holes to finish with birdies on 7 and 8 and an eagle on the par five 9th.
“It was a solid day that all of a sudden turned into a really good day,” Scott said. “With five par-5s, it kind of sets up well for my game and the plan is to just take advantage of the fives and hopefully hang in there with the leaders all week.”
After his near miss at the British Open in July, the world No.6 is still looking for his first tournament win of the year.
Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open winner, played a bogey-free round with seven birdies.
Two-time HSBC Champions winner Phil Mickelson was in a tie for third on 6-under along with Bubba Watson, Peter Hanson and Shane Lowry.
Australian TV Coverage
Fox Sports is covering the HSBC Champions event live in Australia from 2pm to 7pm Thursday – Sunday.
2012 World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions Leaderboard
WGC – HSBC Champions Leaderboard