Fernandez-Castano, Brown share Ballantine's lead

Golf Betting Lines

04/23/2009 - Jeju Island, South Korea (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Mark Brown shot matching seven-under 65s Thursday to share the first-round lead at the Ballantine's Championship.

Kyung-Nam Kang led the Korean contingent with a six-under 66 to share third place with Thongchai Jaidee and Robert-Jan Derksen.

Jason Knutzon of the United States shot a five-under 67 to lead a three-way tie for sixth place with Robert Dinwiddie and Alessandro Tadini.

Top stars Ernie Els (68), Henrik Stenson (68), Fred Couples (69) and Lee Westwood (71) were also in the mix.

Fernandez-Castano -- and much of the field, for that matter -- played catch-up after Brown posted the score to beat in an early group. Beginning on the first hole at Pinx Golf Club, Fernandez-Castano compiled a nearly flawless round.

The 28-year-old Spaniard birdied the fourth and sixth holes, then stumbled to his only bogey at the seventh. He birdied the ninth hole, then made an eagle at the 10th to climb within three shots of the lead.

Fernandez-Castano tied Brown with three birdies in a four-hole stretch ending at the 16th. But he parred his last two holes, missing an opportunity to take sole possession of the lead.

A four-time winner on the European Tour, Fernandez-Castano is coming off two consecutive runner-up finishes, including at last week's China Open.

"It's always important to start with a good round," said Fernandez-Castano. "But, still, it's 54 holes to go, so it's still a long way."

Brown, a 34-year-old from New Zealand, is also fresh off a good showing in China, having tied for third place last week. It marked his best finish since he claimed his only win at the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic.

On Thursday, Brown started his round by holing his third shot for an eagle at No. 10. He bogeyed the 14th, but collected back-to-back birdies at the 16th and 17th to make the turn at three-under par.

Consecutive birdies at the first and second hole moved Brown close to early leaders, and further birdies at Nos. 7 and 9 gave him sole possession of first.

Until Fernandez-Castano caught up to him.

"I didn't play here last year, so it's my first real look at it. But I just played nice and steady," said Brown. "The last two or three tournaments I've started to play a little bit better and get my confidence up a little bit."

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