Allenby leads after 1st round of 2009 Honda Classic

Robert Allenby emerged as the leader of the 2009 Honda Classic after the conclusion of the first round of play on Thursday.

The Australian birdied the final hole to reach a score of 4 under and break free of a group of several players, including Stewart Cink and Sergio Garcia, who now lurk one shot back on 67.

“I was very happy to hit a 6-iron at the last to six inches, and just tap it in and walk away,” Allenby told the AFP.

“I’m happy with four-under. I think any time you shoot under par around this golf course, you’re doing well. I think four-under is a fantastic start. Puts me in great stead for the next three days.”

Sergio Garcia would also have been satisfied with a good start to the tournament after suffering an early exit from the WGC Matchplay Championship last week.

“I still felt like I played great on the back nine, and I shot one-over,” Garcia said. “That tells you everything about this course, and the last four or five holes are quite tough. I was happy to finish three-under, and it’s a good start.”

The 2009 Honda Classic is being played at Palm Beach Gardens, a former PGA National course.