Lascuna one shot off leaders

MANILA, Philippines — Antonio Lascuna, hoping to end his campaign with a bang, shot a three-under-par 69 to trail clubhouse leaders Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and Gregory Bourdy of France by just one at the start of the $1 million Thailand Golf Championships at the Amata Spring Country Club Thursday in Bangkok.

Lascuna gunned down four birdies to offset a bogey on the par-4 fifth hole.

He was tied by American Michael Thompson, Japan’s Kodai Ichihara, Taiwan’s Lu Chien-Soon and Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa.

Mars Pucay was level at 72 while teen Miguel Tabuena stumbled with a 74 after shooting five bogeys against three birdies.

Elmer Salvador also struggled, finishing with a 76.

Order of Merit champion Juvic Pagunsan, Angelo Que and Frankie Miñoza have yet to finish their rounds in the star-studded finale of the Asuan Tour which included world No. 3 Lee Westwood and British Open champion Darren Clarke.

AUSTRALIAN MASTERS

In Melbourne, Australia, Ian Poulter recovered from an early bogey to shoot seven birdies in a 6-under 65 and take a one-stroke lead after the first round at the Australian Masters on Thursday.

Poulter was one shot clear of local golfer Ashley Hall and two ahead of a group of six, including former champion Peter Lonard.

In his first professional tournament in Australia, top-ranked Luke Donald opened with a 69 and was in share of 11th place.

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