Friday 9 February 2018 17:57, UK
Lee Westwood sits two strokes off the lead after the opening round of the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth, where defending champion Brett Rumford grabbed the early advantage.
Westwood fired a six-under 66 to join Australia's James Nitties in a share of second, as Rumford birdied six of his opening nine holes on his way to an opening-round 64 at Lake Karrinyup.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat is one of nine players tied for fourth spot on five under, with England's Sam Horsfield part of the group four off the pace.
"The swing's just getting better all the time," Westwood said. "It was nice to shoot 66. I don't think this is a tournament where you want to be playing catch-up."
Westwood, chasing a first worldwide victory since 2015, birdied two of his opening three holes and chipped in for eagle at the 15th to keep in touch with home favourite Rumford.
Rumford raced to the turn in 29 and bounced back from bogeys at the first and third to birdie three of his next five and set the clubhouse target, as Westwood posted three more birdies before making a blemish on his penultimate hole.
Aphibarnrat is joined on five under by compatriot Prom Meesawat, Australian pair Wade Ormsby and Jason Scrivener, France's Sebastien Gros, Japan's Daisuke Kataoka, Malaysian Nicholas Fung, New Zealand's Gareth Paddison and Korea's Yikeun Chang.
The first three rounds are played as a regular stroke play event before the field is reduced to 24 players on Sunday, with a six-hole match play event determining the winner.
Watch the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues on Friday from 5am on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.
