Luke Donald shares Disney lead, two ahead of Simpson

Associated Press

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.

Luke Donald figured he might have to win at Disney to have his best shot at capturing the PGA Tour money title. He took a good step Thursday in the Children’s Miracle Network Classic with a 6-under 66 for a seven-way share of the lead.

Donald is playing the opening two rounds with Webb Simpson, whose runner-up finish last week at Sea Island gave him a $363,029 lead in the money list. Simpson also played bogey-free on the easier Palm course for a 68.

“Would have loved to have made a couple more at the end,” Donald said of his six birdies. “I didn’t hit the ball great the last few holes. I think you want to capitalize on the slightly easier course, and six birdies and no bogeys was a great start. It wasn’t that easy out there. The wind was strong enough to make club selection a little tricky.”

Castello Masters

CATELLON, Spain

Ross McGowan shot a 7-under 64 to take a two-shot lead after the opening round.

McGowan, ranked No. 543, holed his approach to the par-4 No. 17 for an eagle and made five birdies in a faultless round that left him two strokes ahead of Fabrizio Zanotti and Richard McEvoy.

Taiwan Championship

YANG MEI, Taiwan

Top-ranked Yani Tseng began her home event with a 4-under 68 to join Ai Miyazato of Japan with a one shot lead after the first round of the Taiwan Championship.