Former Dubai Desert Classic winner Richard Green fired his best round in more than a year to earn a share of the lead after the first round of the Australian PGA championship yesterday.

Green, who beat Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam in a play-off to win the 1997 Dubai tournament, carded an opening round of five-under-par 67. Fellow Australian David Hill joined Green after an eagle-birdie finish.

They were one stroke clear of New Zealander Greg Turner and Australia's Kim Felton.

Green's career has been in a tail spin since his breakthrough in the Middle East two years ago. "When I won in Dubai I probably overcelebrated and ended up riding on that for too long instead of getting on with the job like most guys do," he said.