PERTH, Australia, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Alejandro Canizares of Spain and Michael Hendry of New Zealand share the opening round of the inaugural Perth International Thursday at 7-under par 65.
Emiliano Grillo was in third place after shooting 66 at the Lake Karrinyup County Club and Paul Casey and Andrew Johnston were tied for fourth at 5-under 67.
Canizares got off to a good start with birdies at holes three and four, and after a pair of pars, he sank two consecutive birdies at seven and eight. He parred the next four holes, added another birdie at No. 17, and ended the bogey-free round with a par on 18.
"It was a good round. I hit the ball really well and made some good putts, so I'm really happy," said Canizares, winner of the 2006 Russian Open. "I was pretty steady the whole round and gave myself plenty of chances. I think I only missed two greens in the whole round."
Hendry opened with a birdie, but shot a bogey on the second hole. He had three birdies on holes nine, 10 and 11 and three more birdies on 14, 16 and 18.
