By Michael Davis
PERTH, Australia Oct 18 (Reuters) – Little-known New Zealander Michael Hendry and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares grabbed the first round lead at the Perth International on Thursday as the swirling winds left Charl Schwartzel and Jason Dufner six shots off the pace.
Hendry and Canizares fired seven-under-par 65s at the $2million European Tour event at Lake Karrinyup with Englishman Paul Casey amongst the chasing pack after a 67.
Canizares, who is looking for his second Tour win after his 2006 Russian Open success, was a late entry for the Perth event after only deciding to compete following his missed cut in Portugal last week.
“I played pretty steady the whole round and gave myself plenty of chances,” the Spaniard told reporters after his bogey free round.
“I think I only missed two greens in the whole round and one of them I chipped in on the eighth hole, par 3, which was a bonus.
“I putted well. I missed a couple short ones on 14 and 15 for birdie, but I made a long one on 17, so I made up for that and made a good one for put on 18,” added the world number 246.
Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo was one shot back of the leaders after a firing a 66 with Casey and compatriot Andrew Johnston tied for fourth.
Casey, the former world number three, showed no signs of his recent struggles for form as he continues to battle back from a dislocated shoulder suffered in a snowboarding accident last year.
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