Turner leads Heineken Classic

Thursday, Jan. 30, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

PERTH, Australia -- New Zealand's Greg Turner shot a 7-under-par 65 today to take a one-stroke lead over countryman Frank Nobilo after the first round of the Heineken Classic.

Turner, who also had the first-round lead last year after a 66, birdied Nos. 10, 11, 13, 15, 16 and closed with an eagle on the par-5 18th to match the course record on the tight Vines Resort layout.

"I only missed one fairway and two greens so I like Thursdays at the Vines," he said. "On the last, I holed it from across the world, but apart from that my putting was not great. I missed quite a few opportunities."

Australia's Wayne Grady and England's opened with 67s, while American star Fred Couples was three back along with New Zealand's Marcus Wheelhouse and Australians Peter O'Malley and Rodney Pampling.

John Daly, who missed the cut last week in the Johnnie Walker Classic with rounds of 77 and 79, opened with a 70. The long-hitting American, fifth last year, did not use his driver on the tough Graham Marsh-designed course.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie also shot a 70, while defending champion Ian Woosnam of Wales had a 72. Johnnie Walker winner Ernie Els of South Africa shot a 73 in the PGA European Tour-Australasian PGA Tour event.