Intro:

Australians Steven Bowditch, amateur Todd Sinnott, Michael Wright and Stephen Allan share the lead at five-under 67 after the first round of the Australian Masters in Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne on Thursday.

Script:

Blustery conditions early on made scoring difficult for the opening round of the Australian Masters at the Metropolitan Golf Club.

Two-time defending champion Adam Scott's only joy came at the sixth hole when he sank a fifteen foot eagle putt to move to one-over for the day.

Scott ended the day six shots behind the leaders.

Boo Weekley fired four birdies and four bogeys in his round to lie joint 33rd.

Robert Allenby started positively. He was two under after four holes, which included a wonderful chip from the bunker on the fourth for an attempted eagle. The Australian veteran would knock that in and end with a two-under 70.

Kyle Stanley completed his 27th birthday celebration with an impressive round of 69. He is lying joint seventh.

Former US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy started early but endured the conditions well to also shoot an impressive 69.

Todd Sinnott fired a five-under 67. He played the shot of the day when he stuck a ball on the par four 15th to set up a birdie in rainy conditions. He is in a four-way tie at the top on five under.

Sinnot shares that spot with compatriot Steven Bowditch, who also ended with 67.

Michael Wright and Stephen Allan also shot 67s to share the lead.