Derksen leads tournament in Australia

PERTH, Australia, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Robert-Jan Derksen, who had a string of four birdies, shot an 8-under-par 64 Thursday for the first-round lead of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia.

Derksen owns a 1-stroke lead over Tony Carolan and Mardan Mamat after 18 holes of the early season Australian stop for the European PGA Tour. Lee Westwood, John Bickerton and Damien McGrane were tied for fourth at 6-under 66.

Derksen was 1-under after seven holes Thursday but ran off consecutive birdies on Nos. 8-11 to quickly move up the leader board. He had three pars -- including one after missing a 3-foot birdie putt -- before finishing in another flourish with three birdies in his last four holes.

"It's a good start and it's always nice to have -- it's as simple as that," Derksen said, "but there's a lot of golf to be played."

Carolan's 65 came with an eagle, six birdies and a bogey. Carolan played the back nine first and was even after his first eight holes but started a run with an eagle 3 at the 18th hole. He added birdies at the course's first three holes and closed with birdies at Nos. 8 and 9.

Mamet had eight birdies and a bogey in his round.