Trip shares early lead at BMW PGA, big names falter

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Anthony Wall tees off on the par-5 18th.

VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) -- Tour rookie David Horsey, Anthony Wall and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano shot five-under 67s to share the lead in the BMW PGA Championship on Thursday after some big names faltered early in the first round.

Both Englishmen birdied four holes on the back nine, while Fernandez-Castano finished birdie-eagle.

Horsey, who won the lower-tier Challenge Tour Order of Merit last year, also shot 67 in the final round of the Irish Open on Sunday, but in entirely different conditions.

"I was out first in hardly any winds, good greens and no holdups," the 24-year-old Horsey said in comparing course conditions to Sunday's strong winds in Ireland. "I managed to adjust quite quickly."

Fourth-ranked Henrik Stenson, winner of the prestigious THE PLAYERS Championship at Sawgrass early this month, shot a 6-over 78.

Lee Westwood shot 77 with Ryder Cup teammates Oliver Wilson and Graeme McDowell on 76 and 75, respectively. McDowell said he was again troubled by shin splints in his right leg which forced him out of the Irish Open during Saturday's third round.

"It doesn't hurt hitting shots, just when I'm walking and this is a tough walking course," he said. "I hope it is not a stress fracture or I'll be out for weeks."

Masters champion Angel Cabrera and Jose Maria Olazabal both had 74. John Daly shot a one over par 73.

"I didn't drive the ball well. I'm going to work on that," he said. "I played the par-fives well except for the last when I got a bad break.

"I didn't know I could hit a 2-iron 307 yards," Daly added.

Charl Schwartzel, Niclas Fasth, Ross Fischer, Barry Lane and defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez shot 68s. Paul Casey, Robert Karlsson, Colin Montgomerie and 2003 British Open champion Ben Curtis were among a group of players on 69.

Curtis, who is playing in this event for the first time since 2006, birdied the last two holes.

Horsey disclosed that his mother Anne has been battling breast cancer since last year and has just completed a round of chemotherapy.

The disclosure came a day after it was revealed that Amy Mickelson, the wife of Phil Mickelson, has breast cancer.

Daly expressed sympathy for the Mickelsons.

"I'm wishing Amy and Phil really well. That's a sad thing. I've had a lot of friends and family who have had that, so my prayers go out to them," he said.

"I know she'll be all right. She's young and hopefully they caught it quick.

He offered whatever assistance he can. "I've had a lot of family and friends with breast cancer and if she needs any help I've got a lot of people who can call her and help her through it," Daly said.

"They're a very close couple. They're a great couple and they've got beautiful kids. I think she'll be fine. My prayers go out to them. I wish them the best."