/ 27 February 1998

Yanks lead at Royal Swazi

FRIDAY 12:30PM

AMERICANS Bruce Vaughan and Scott Dunlap led the charge on seven-under-par 65 at the end of the first round of the R500 000 Royal Swazi Sun Open.

Both golfers, who were later matched by resident Swazi pro Paul Friedlander, took full advantage of preferred lies, minimal rough and near-perfect weather to open up a one-shot lead.

Despite playing a flawless round, Vaughan admitted he is still troubled by a mental block on his backswing, while Dunlap said that he was aided by a switch earlier in the week to a mallet-headed putter.

Friedlander, who picked up two eagles, on the fifth and 17th, said he was pleased to be playing well again, after losing some of his form.

26