American fires eight birdies to take the first round lead

KUALA LUMPUR: American Ricky Barnes, who came in under a sponsor invite, produced a barn-storming eight-under 63 to take the first-round lead in the inaugural US$6mil CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia at the Mines Resort and Golf Club yesterday.

The 29-year-old, who is on his second visit the country after winning the world amateur team championships as part of the United States team in 2002, recorded a flawless round of eight birdies to lead the stellar field of 40 golfers vying for a US$1mil winner’s cheque.