THE SIDELINES : Patton, Owen Share Golf Lead

American heavyweight golfer Chris Patton and New Zealand veteran Simon Owen shot 4-under-par 67s today to share the first-round lead in the $870,000 Johnnie Walker Golf Classic at Royal Melbourne.

They held a one-stroke advantage over Canadians Richard Zokol and Jack Kay and Australians Peter O’Malley and Ken Dukes as the big names in the 100-man field floundered.

Ray Floyd had a 1-under-par 70, PGA Tour money-leader Greg Norman had a par-71 and Masters and British Open champion Nick Faldo finished birdie-birdie but struggled to a 72.

PGA champion Wayne Grady of Australia had an even worse day, carding a 3-over 74.