Melbourne, Australia – Matthew Guyatt fired a 7-under 65 Thursday to grab a 2-stroke lead after the opening round of the Talisker Masters.
Guyatt is 45th on the Australasian Tour Order of Merit after five starts.
World No. 5 Adam Scott and world No. 16 Ian Poulter carded 5-under 67s in the first round. They share second place with Michael Hendry at Kingston Heath.
Guyatt birdied the 11th, his second hole, but tripped to a bogey on the 13th. He came back with three straight birdies from the 14th.
The Australian birdied the par-5 first before making four pars in a row from the second. Guyatt flew into the lead as he poured in three consecutive birdies from the sixth.
Amateur Jake Higginbottom opened with a 4-under 68. He was joined in fifth place by Kalem Richardson, Craig Hancock, Rika Batibasaga, Peter O'Malley and Paul Gow.
Former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell managed a 1-under 71, which left him tied for 20th.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.