GREG NORMAN, who is controversially being paid appearance money to take part in the £150,000 Ford Open championship in Adelaide, was seven shots off the pace after a two over par first round 74 yesterday.

Norman's compatriots, Glenn Joyner, who overcame a painful wrist injury in the difficult winds, and Bradley Hughes both fired 67 to share a two shot lead over another Australian, Greg Chalmers.

. Britain's David Watson was among a group of five players one stroke behind leading trio Larry Barber, Joon Lee and Rodrigo Cuello, who were on 67 after in the first round of the £200,000 Thailand Open in Sri Racha.