Dartnall shares Australian Open lead

Sydney, Dec 11: Little-known qualifier Stephen Dartnall grabbed a share of the first-round lead at the Australian Open on Thursday but John Daly stole the show by smashing a spectator's camera against a tree. Dartnall, who only made it into the field by playing a qualifying event on Monday, shot a superb seven-under-par 65 at Royal Sydney to finish the day tied for the lead with fellow Australians Mathew Goggin and Ewan Porter.

"It is one of the bigger tournaments and there is more attention on it, but it does not really change how I think," said Dartnall, in only his second year as a professional.

"Maybe it will later on. At the moment I feel pretty calm."

Goggin followed up his second place at last week's Australian PGA in Queensland with a flying start to his round that featured six birdies from his first eight holes. He dropped two shots on the back nine but another birdie and an eagle saw him finish at seven-under.

"I feel like I believe in myself a lot more," Goggin said.

Porter birdied three of the last four holes to join them at the top of the leaderboard as darkness began to set in on the course. "This is a total surprise. I've been up and down the whole year, but the last six months have been miserable," Porter said. Australian Masters winner Rod Pampling shot 67 to join New Zealanders Mark Brown and David Smail two shots back. Last week's Australian PGA winner and tournament favourite Geoff Ogilvy shot an even round of 72.

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