Golf: Pettersson takes early Durban lead

Sweden’s Carl Pettersson carded a brilliant opening 64 to take the early lead in the first round of the Bell’s South African Open in Durban today.

Pettersson, 61st on the Order of Merit last year in his rookie season, fired eight birdies and no bogeys on the testing Durban Country Club course to open up a two-shot lead over the field.

Five players shared second place on six under par, including Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth and four South Africans making the most of their local knowledge.

Pettersson has already enjoyed a superb start to 2002 by finishing fourth and fifth in Taiwan and Hong Kong in November and December last year, events which counted to the 2002 Order of Merit.

‘‘I’ve had a great start and a win is my only goal this year,’’ said Pettersson, who is based in North Carolina where he played college golf and was an All American four times.

‘‘I want to win and take it from there. It’s a long way to go but we’ll see what happens. I had four weeks off and didn’t play much golf so I was surprised I played so well.’’

Forsyth also managed a flawless round, with a birdie on his final hole - the ninth - seeing him complete an opening 66.

It was the perfect start for Forsyth who missed out on his card by one place on the money list last year in controversial circumstances.

Sergio Garcia was included on the money list despite only playing in 10 events - one fewer than the minimum requirement for membership - but was credited with 11 due to the cancellation of the American Express Championships in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

If Garcia had not been included in the money list Forsyth would have moved up to the 115th and final qualifying spot, but the European Tour refused to exclude the Spaniard and instead reached a compromise with Forsyth and his manager Ian Doyle, who had threatened legal action.

Forsyth has been guaranteed 26 starts this season on a mixture of invites and his ranking but could render the whole saga irrelevant with a win on Sunday.

European number one Retief Goosen was just one shot behind Forsyth after an error-free 67, the US Open champion feeling refreshed after turning down US dollars 150,000 to play in Tiger Woods’ invitational event in favour of a much-needed rest.

Goosen’s World Cup winning team-mate Ernie Els was among the later starters, the double US Open champion carding birdie two’s at the second and fourth with a bogey six in between leaving him one under par after five holes.