Downes leads down under

Queenslander Chris Downes headed the leaderboard after the opening round of the Australian Open today, just as he did 12 months ago.

Downes carded a five-under-par 67 in good conditions at the Moonah Links in Victoria, and leads the rest of the field by a single shot.

Birdies on the 11th, 13th and 15th holes gave him a strong finish on the back nine, with the only blemish on his scorecard a bogey at 14 when he found the bunker with his drive.

Peter Lonard stands alone in second at four-under, after again finishing strongly.

Reaching the turn at level par, the experienced Lonard claimed four birdies for a 68.

A group of six are tied for third at three-under, including Craig Jones, Craig Parry and Stuart Appleby.

David McKenzie is also among those players, although he was the overall leader after 15 until bogies on each of the final three holes saw him slip to 69.

Defending champion Stephen Allan had a disappointing day.

He finished his round on level par, although he was two-under until he hit trouble at 16, where a double bogey cost him dear.