• Zurich Classic, Round One

Barnes impresses, Guan solid

Guan Tianlang followed his Masters debut with a solid round in Avondale © AP

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Ricky Barnes shot an eight-under-par 64 to set the standard in the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and take the early clubhouse lead in Avondale.

Barnes carded six birdies after the turn to add to an earlier eagle at the par-five second and finish ahead of the chasing pack. Fellow Americans Boo Weekly and Lucas Glover also enjoyed an impressive start at TPC Louisiana, both finishing one shot behind Barnes on seven-under after carding 67.

Following his debut appearance at the Masters, Chinese amateur Guan Tianlang started with a bogey on the first and moved two-over par at the sixth after finding the rough. However, 14-year-old Guan gained a shot back at 7 before moving back to even with another birdie at the 11th as he came to the conclusion of his round.

Open champion Ernie Els moved to five-under with a bogeyless round of 67, while Rickie Fowler also moved into contention when finishing with the same score. The American made six birdies after the turn to add to an eagle on the par-5 second, but an error at the 15th cost him a shot.

Justin Rose was made to rue his only bogey on 17 as he finished with a four-under score of 68, with four birdies around the turn to give him a solid standing going into round two.

Bubba Watson suffered a frustrating first day in Avondale with a one-over-par round of 73. The 2012 Masters champion started with a bogey at the tenth, before suffering the same fate at the 13th. Watson carded two birdies to claw back to evens, but a dropped shot at the third meant he would finish over par for the day.

KJ Choi hit an indifferent round as he finished with a three-over-par 75, making bogey six times.

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