Kaymer takes 1-stroke lead at Abu Dhabi Golf Championship
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Martin Kaymer opened with an eagle and finished at 6-under 66 Thursday for a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
The European Tour rookie of the year in 2007 had five birdies and a bogey at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club's National Course to lead Henrik Stenson.
"I want to do well these three weeks in the Gulf as I have a chance to qualify for the World Match play," Kaymer said. "I think it was the nervousness, but I hit a very long drive on the first hole, which set up the eagle. And after that, I kept hitting some good drives and made the putts."
Adam Scott birdied his final hole for a 68, which tied him for the third with Robert Karlsson. Lee Westwood (69) birdied his last three holes to get into a fifth-place tie with Peter Hedblom and Ignacio Garrido.
British Open champion Padraig Harrington (70) and defending champion Paul Casey (75) are also in the field.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
