SELANGOR, Malaysia -Arizona Wildcat alum Ricky Barnes shot an 8-under 63 Thursday to take the lead after the first round of the inaugural Asia Pacific Classic, the first PGA Tour-sanctioned event in Southeast Asia.
Barnes, seeking his first professional victory, had what he called a "stress-free" round sprinkled with eight birdies.
"I got off to a good start by making some good swings and had a 10-foot look at eagle on three, which kind of got my round started," Barnes said.
Ryan Moore (64) trails by one stroke, while Carl Pettersson (65) was two back along with Brian Davis and Charlie Wi.
Moore had seven birdies. He has earned more than $2 million this season on tour but has no victories.
The 40-man tournament also is sanctioned by the Asian Tour.
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Nationwide Tour
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Joe Affrunti, James Hahn and Brendan Steele shot 6-under 66s Thursday to share the first-round lead in the Nationwide Tour Championship, the last chance for all three and others to earn 2011 PGA Tour cards through the developmental circuit money list.
The top 60 earners qualified for the season-ending tournament. The final top 25 will earn spots on the PGA Tour.
Hunter Haas and William McGirt opened with 67s. Colt Knost and Scott Gardiner shot 68s. Nate Smith, 24th on the money list, opened with a 73.
No. 25 Chris Nallen, a former Arizona Wildcat standout, carded a 70.
No. 26 Brandt Jobe had a 74, and No. 27 David Hearn carded a 69.
European Tour
SOTOGRANDE, Spain - Pablo Larazabal shot a 5-under 66 to take the first-round lead Thursday in the Andalucia Masters, while Martin Kaymer struggled to a 72 in his attempt to overtake Tiger Woods in the world rankings.
Kaymer needs to win or finish in a second-place tie with no more than one other player to supplant Woods.
Kaymer is six shots off the pace. Graeme McDowell shot a 68 to share second with Damien McGrane.