Rose in lead at Indonesian Masters golf

Englands Justin Rose produced a sensational 10-under-par 62 to grab the first round lead at the Indonesian Masters golf tournament here on Thursday.

The world number six took advantage of the benign early morning conditions to power his way to the top with a flawless card marked by 10 birdies at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

It would have been a course record for the Olympic gold medallist if not for the preferred lie ruling which was in force.

Thailand's Gunn Charoenkul gave his merit battle a lifeline by opening with a 64 to stay two shots back of Rose in second place while compatriot Phachara Khongwatmai remained in the mix with a 65 which saw him share third place with Korea's Giwhan Kim at the Asian Tour's season-ending flagship event.

Singapore's Choo Tze Huang, who is playing on a sponsor's invitation, enjoyed an encouraging start by posting a 66 to grab a share of fifth place together with Australia's Ashley Hall and Lu Wei-chih of Chinese Taipei.

Playing in his event overseas after earning a one-year exemption on the Asian Tour, China's Xiao Bowen also had an encouraging start with his first round 68.

--IANS

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