Howell takes lead down under

American Charles Howell III leads the Australian Open after a five under round of 65 – having had his disastrous round of 80 on the opening day wiped off his scorecard after play was abandoned.

Following the unplayable conditions of yesterday at the Victoria Golf Club, today saw 28 players break par with Howell declaring himself jokingly ’the most improved player’.

Just one shot behind the American are a group of four players – Craig Parry, US PGA champion Rich Beem, Victorian Steve Allan and Queenslander Chris Downes.

And Australian Parry joined Howell to declare the reduction of the event to 54 holes would not have a negative impact on the tournament.

“Everyone knows that you are still going to have to play very well to win over 54 holes,” Parry said.

“I don’t think it detracts from anything, everyone knows it is going to be 54 holes – you’ve got to play well.”

Howell added: “The lowest score is still going to win...had we continued to play yesterday and counted those scores, that would have detracted from it.”

Calls for 36 holes to be played on Sunday have been rejected with the weather forecast predicting scorching temperatures in the high 30s.