Duo claim first-round lead

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Mark Brown continued their fine form to take an early one-shot lead at the Ballantine's Championship at the Pinx Golf Club on Jeju Island on Thursday.

Spaniard Fernando-Castano and New Zealand's Brown were second and third respectively last week in the European Tour event in Beijing, and the pair opened the co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour tournament in Korea with seven-under scores of 65.

"I didn't play here last year, so it's my first real look at it. But I just played nice and steady," Brown said.

Both players took advantage of a generous par-five 10th where no fewer than 11 players picked up an eagle. For Brown that was the first hole of the day - a great start that was followed by a bogey at the 14th and back-to-back birdies at holes 16 and 17.

Two more consecutive birdies followed at the first and second holes and further shots were picked up at the seventh and ninth.

Brown added: "The last two or three tournaments I've started to play a little bit better and get my confidence up a little bit.

"I'm aiming to peak for a major in July back in Europe, it's a step in the right direction"

However, after Brown had claimed the morning lead, in the afternoon Fernandez-Castano also holed six birdies, a bogey and his eagle on the 10th to match his rival at the top of the standings.

"It's all good to start. It's always important to start with a good round," the Spaniard said.

"But still, it's 54 holes to go, so it's still a long way."