In an up and down year in which he lost his US TOUR card Lyle’s tournament leading round today, which included five birdies and an eagle, was a very welcomed change.
“That is the lowest score I’ve shot all year. I’ve played solid but have not really achieved anything,” said Lyle.
“I am happy with the way the week has started. Seven under is a damn good score.”
World Number 5 Dustin Johnson and World Number 12 Nick Watney sit just one shot behind Lyle on 6-under and while he is not intimidated by the star studded field he knows there is still plenty of work to be done.
“There are still three days to go; I can’t rest on what happened today. I have to go and build.”
“I’m here to win it. I’m here to do as good as I can. It does not matter who is in the field. I am here to do the same thing every time.”
While he finished in a share of second, Johnson’s round got off to a slow start with a bogey on the 10th, his first hole of the day, but the American quickly found his form going on to card eight birdies.
While happy with his round Johnson believes there is still room for improvement with some opportunities missed.
“I missed a few short ones. Most of the birdies I made were tap-ins or three to four footers. I hit a lot of good putts that burned the edge,” said Johnson post round.
“I played really solid all day, I hit a lot of good iron shots and I’m very pleased with the day but it always could be a little better.”
Johnson’s display of golf thrilled the strong crowds that followed him for the round, Johnson clearly impressed with his Australian following.
“We had great crowds out there today. They were very good to us. They followed us all day.”
Sitting tied for third at 5-under are Presidents Cup Captain Fred Couples and Australians Steve Jones, James Nitties and Greg Chalmers.
In other news from the day, Adam Scott delighted the bustling crowds with an albatross on the par 5 8th hole to put himself in contention with a final score of 3-under par.
Tiger Woods went one better sitting inside the top 10 at 4-under par.
John Daly made his presence felt with a disastrous 11th hole.
After finding the water on numerous occasions the American ran out of golf balls and walked off the course without concluding his round.
The PGA and Golf Australia have since condemned Daly’s actions, the PGA withdrawing his invitation to contest the Australian PGA Championship in two weeks time.
The Emirates Australian Open will continue at The Lakes Golf Club tomorrow from 7am.
The Emirates Australian Open is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia and boasts a $1.5 million prize purse.