Horsey and Wall share early lead in BMW PGA event

May 21, 2009

Tour rookie David Horsey and Anthony Wall shot 5-under 67s to share the lead in the BMW PGA Championship on Thursday, after some big names faltered early in the first round.

Both Englishmen birdied four holes on the back nine, with Horsey picking up shots on the last three.

Horsey, who won the lower-tier Challenge Tour Order of Merit last year, also shot 67 in the final round of the Irish Open on Sunday, but in entirely different conditions.

I was out first in hardly any winds, good greens and no holdups, the 24-year-old Horsey said in comparing Sundays strong winds in Ireland. I managed to adjust quite quickly.

Fourth-ranked Henrik Stenson, winner of the prestigious Players Championship at Sawgrass early this month, was last among the early finishers with a 5-over 40 on the front nine on the way to a 78.

Ryder Cup players Oliver Wilson and Graeme McDowell shot 76 and 75, respectively. McDowell said he was again troubled by shin splints in his right leg which forced him out of the Irish Open during Saturdays third round.

It doesnt hurt hitting shots, just when Im walking and this is a tough walking course, he said. I hope it is not a stress fracture or Ill be out for weeks.

Charl Schwartzel and Ross Fischer shot 68s. Fisher had an eagle 3 at the last, where he almost holed his second shot.

Paul Casey, Robert Karlsson and 2003 British Open champion Ben Curtis were among a group at 69.

Curtis, who is playing in this event for the first time since 2006, birdied the last two holes.

I love playing in Europe. Its a great opportunity to travel and have some fun playing different courses, said Curtis, who has entered the Race to Dubai which tops this years European Tour.

Horsey disclosed that his mother Anne has been battling breast cancer since last year and has just completed a round of chemotherapy.

The disclosure came a day after it was revealed that Amy Mickelson, the wife of Phil Mickelson, has breast cancer.

Hopefully they have caught it in time but no one wants to go through that, Curtis said.