Monty finds it tough going

13 April 2012

Colin Montgomerie fired an even par 72 today in the first round of the Australian Masters in Melbourne which left him seven shots off the lead.

It was the first round of tournament golf the Scot has played after taking a two-month break from the game.

Australian Peter Fowler shot a 65 to take a share of the lead alongside compatriot and young amateur Michael Cocking.

In an all-Australian leaderboard, Fowler and Cocking held a two-stroke lead over three-time Australian Masters champion Craig Parry, Peter O'Malley and Brett Rumford, all at five-under-par.

Two-time Australian Open champion Aaron Baddeley followed last week's thrilling play-off win over Spain's Sergio Garcia at the Greg Norman International in Sydney with an even par 72. Garcia had a disappointing three over 75 today. Meanwhile, Holland's Maarten Lafeber set the early pace with a five under 67 in the first round of the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur - one stroke ahead of Vijay Singh of Fiji.

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