Euro: Canizares, Whiteford lead Avantha Masters

Alejandro Canizares (file photo)

NEW DELHI – Alejandro Canizares of Spain and Peter Whiteford of Scotland each shot a 6-under 66 Thursday to share the lead after the first round of the Avantha Masters.

Whiteford made four straight birdies after the turn in a round that included a lone bogey on the fifth hole. Canizares also mixed seven birdies with one bogey, five on his back nine.

Federico Colombo of Italy was one stroke behind, while six players were another shot back at the European Tour event. John Daly had a 79, which included a triple-bogey 8 on the 14th and five other bogeys.

The 29-year-old Canizares, whose father Jose Maria was part of four Ryder Cup teams, is looking for his second European Tour title after winning the Imperial Collection Russian Open in 2006.