SUTTON COLDFIELD, England, May 9 (UPI) -- Greg Owen posted seven birdies Thursday on his way to a 6-under-par 66 and a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Benson and Hedges International Open.
The 30-year-old from Mansfield, still in search of his first win on the European PGA Tour, has a one-stroke lead over Ian Woosnam of Scotland.
Owen gained attention in the golf world last year when he led during the second round of the British Open before faltering. He was off to a fast start again on Thursday on The Belfry's Brabazon Course, picking up birdies on his first three holes before posting his only bogey of the day on the sixth.
Woosnam is in solid contention thanks to an eagle two on the first hole. He added birdies on No. 6, 10 and 14 that offset a pair of bogeys. Woosnam finished in style with a pair of birdies to climb within a stroke of Owen.
Englishmen Anthony Wall and David Carter joined Angel Cabrera of Argentina in a tie for third place at 4-under.
Two-time Masters champion Sandy Lyle heads a group of five players that shot 69s Thursday to finish in a tie for sixth.
