Ryder Cup pair star in the east

Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington, Ryder Cup golfers from opposite sides of the Irish border, found two different courses in the far east to their liking yesterday.

Clarke returned an opening 64 to lead the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Miyazaki, Japan, while in Taiwan Harrington opened the new season as he finished the last and moved within one shot of the lead on the first day of the Asian Open.

The Ulsterman Clarke, storming to the turn in 30, had eight birdies and one bogey for a two-shot lead over Justin Rose - five birdies, an eagle on the 18th and two bogeys - and Kaname Yokoo and Tsukasa Watanabe. Spain's Sergio Garcia was a shot further back after a 67, but the world No1 Tiger Woods struggled to a level-par 71 in the wet conditions.

The defending champion David Duval ran up two bogeys and a double bogey but still managed a two-under-par 69 to lie five off the lead.

The Dubliner Harrington, who two weeks ago just failed to pip Retief Goosen to the European order of merit title, had six birdies in a first-round 66.

Among those in joint fourth place after a 67 was Scotland's Simon Yates, a member of the Asian tour for seven years but with only one title - the 1998 Sabah Masters - to his name. He had three birdies and an eagle at the long 6th in his bogey-free opening round.

John Daly, who had given a bravura performance on his guitar at the pre-tournament dinner, showed his game was still in tune by firing three birdies and an eagle in a two-under 70. Another Ryder Cup hero, Paul McGinley, also recorded a solid start with a 70, marred by a double-bogey six at the 9th. Sam Torrance, back playing after his inspirational captaincy at the Belfry, scored an opening 73.

The Australian Open has been cut to 54 holes for the first time in its 98-year history after the opening day's play at the Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne was abandoned when putting was reduced to farce on what were described as "Teflon-coated" greens.

The Australian Golf Union executive director Colin Phillips had insisted the tournament would remain the full 72 holes, with 36 played on Sunday, after pressure from the sponsors. But this option was abandoned because players faced playing the last two rounds in predicted mid-30sC (mid-90sF) temperatures.