Golf news in brief

Published on 25/02/2012 03:27

The latest news from the world of golf

US PGA Tour:Claxton leads the way at El Camaleon

Will Claxton leads the Mayakoba Classic after a five-under-par opening round of 66 at Mexico’s El Camaleon resort.

Having started from the tenth tee, the 30-year-old American birdied the 17th and a run of four more birdies from the second made it five in seven holes, giving him the overnight lead for the first time in his fledgling PGA Tour career.

The blemish-free card left him one stroke clear of a seven-strong group of players, including five compatriots along with England’s Greg Owen, who was four under after seven holes but progressed no further after three bogeys, and Spain’s Alejandro Canizares.

Charles Howell III birdied four of his last six holes, as did Marc Turnesa in a bogey-free round, while John Huh, Matt Every and Mark D Anderson completed the septet.

Asian Tour: Byrne props up the scoreboard in India

Banchory’s James Byrne is sitting in last place going into the final round of the Sail-SBI Open in India.

Byrne, struggling to produce his quality amateur form in his early weeks as a rookie tour pro based in Singapore, survived the cut following opening rounds of 72 and 73. But his third-round 78 for a 54-hole tally of 223 dropped him down to last of the 65 qualifiers at halfway.

England’s Stephen Lewton made a big leap up to a share of tenth place on 211 after a third-round 66.

India’s Anirban Lahiri continued his dominance when he posted a five-under-par 67 to take the third round lead.

Lahiri will take a three-shot advantage heading into the final round after he signed for a three-day total of 15-under-par 201 at the Delhi Golf Club.

Australian Scott Barr (65 for 204) and Thailand’s Prom Meesawat (68 for 204) are lying in a tie for second place.