Chris Wood takes first-round lead in Wales

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NEWPORT, Wales, June 3 (UPI) -- Chris Wood of England fired a 6-under-par 65 Thursday for a one-stroke lead after the first round of the European Tour's Wales Open.

Woods had six birdies in a bogey-free round at the Celtic Manor course in Newport.

Bradley Dredge of England and Andrew Dodt of Australia each shot a 66 and four players -- Raphael Jacquelin, Edoardo Molinari, Rhys Davies and Richard McEvoy -- were at 67.

The 22-year-old Wood has not yet won on the tour but has finished in the Top 10 in his last three events.

"I struggled a little bit with the pace of uphill putts, but I had some really good shots and gave myself quite a lot of chances," Wood said after his opening round in Wales.

"No bogeys is always pleasing," he said.

The Celtic Manor course is to be the site of the Ryder Cup in October.