Aussie ace Marcus Both felt right at home as he blasted a five-under-par 66 for the first round lead at the US$300,000 Macao Open.

Compatriot Steve Elkington, a major winner, carded two birdies against two bogeys as he was even-par for the day at the Macao Golf and Country Club.

Both, ranked 32nd on the Asian Tours UBS Order of Merit, had a one-stroke lead over Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei who fired a 67 while Australian Brad Kennedy was in third after a 68.

Thai young gun Chinarat Phadungsil was three stokes off the pace in shared fourth alongside Lu Wei-chih of Chinese Taipei, Australians Michael Wright and Kane Webber and American Anthony Kang.

Both, 26, is currently enjoying a good spell on the Asian Tour as he had previously finished fourth in the Aamby Valley Asian Masters in India on Sunday.

The Aussie, starting on the 10th tee, fired birdies on the 13th, first and third holes before ending the day strongly with two consecutive birdies on the seventh and eighth holes.

"I continued on from the improvements that I felt I made last week. I putted really well today. I feel like I can play well around here but its a matter of executing it," said Both.

"I finished second at last years event. This is one of the courses where I feel really comfortable playing on. You know what to expect when you come here, you play well and you get rewarded and if you don't play too well you get punished.

"I just have to have the same game plan as today and it would be nice to win here but that's too far to think about and not even a consideration at the moment," he said.

Lin stayed close behind as he birdied the second and third holes but dropped a shot at the fourth. He then leaped ahead with birdies on the sixth, 10th and 13th holes but stumbled as he three putted for a double bogey on the par four 15th hole.

"It has been very windy out there but I am satisfied with my putting," said Lin, who closed in with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes.

"I played a lot of games back at home and whenever I play, I don't think of winning but try to finish a tournament well," he said.

Kennedy, meanwhile, who is hunting for his maiden title, enjoyed a blemish free round as he stroked in three birdies.

"I did not have a bogey and in these conditions, I'm quite happy. I hit a lot of fairways and did not put any pressure on myself," said Kennedy.

"I had a couple of chances at the end but it was a nice day with testing conditions. I felt like I was in control of my shots.

"My goal is to at least win one event this season on the Asian Tour. The weather is going to play a part but as long as I can keep control of the ball, Ill be looking forward to the next three days," he said.

Chinrarat, who won the Double A International Open last season, will be hoping for a more consistent performance in the second round as he scored five birdies against three bogeys.

"I hope to be more consistent. I could have ended the day strongly but missed a very good birdie putt at the final hole (ninth) as I two-putted for par," said Chinarat.

Starting on the 10th tee, Kang got off to a shaky start when he bogeyed the 11th hole but swung back with birdies at the 16th and 18th holes.

After a birdie at the second hole, Kang's highlight of the day came at the par three sixth hole as he almost struck a hole-in-one when his tee shot landed two feet away from the pin.

"It was a pretty routine round for me out there. It was windy but the course was nice, I played alright and kept it in play," said Kang.

Elkington, after recovering from a groin injury, hoped to improve on his putts as he finished with a 70.

"I'm trying to get used to the course myself. The conditions are great. All the wind yesterday made the course very fast. I just tried to play patient golf and not try to get into trouble.

"I did not take advantage as I was even-par on the par fives. My speed putting was a little off today and I hope to work on that," he said

(AFP via CRI May 19, 2006)