/ 26 February 2000

KINGSTON TAKES FIRST-ROUND LEAD

SOUTH Africa’s James Kingston took the first round lead on thursday in the $200000 Myanmar Open after carding a course record eight-under-par 64 at the Yangon Golf Club. Kingston, a two-time winner on the Asian PGA Tour, fired a faultless round which included eight birdies to open up a three-stroke lead over India’s Jyoti Randhawa and Gaurav Ghei. Hong Kong’s Scott Rowe, fourth in this event last year, is in fourth place after returning a 68 while defending champion Wang Ter-chang of Taiwan opened with a 69. “It was nice … I played really well,” said Kingston. “My long iron play was perfect. They say it’s a narrow golf course but I played so well today that I didn’t notice it.”