Sydney: Matthew Griffin has shot a seven-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Australian Open at The Lakes, on Thursday.

Griffin, whose long-time caddie Peter Beck died suddenly about a month ago, had seven birdies on some forgiving greens after a large amount of rain on the course the previous day. He had a one-stroke lead over John Senden and was two strokes clear of Alistair Presnell.

Australian Masters champion Stuart Appleby, Geoff Ogilvy, Peter Senior, Marc Leishman and Rod Pampling — all Australians — were among a group of nine players at four-under. American John Daly was in a share of 13th place after carding 69.