Allen takes two shot-lead at Scottsdale

MIAMI, Oct 19 (Reuters) Michael Allen took the first-round lead with a sparkling seven-under-par 63 in the Arizona Open at Scottsdale.

Allen yesterday matched his career-low round to move two shots clear of fellow Americans Nick Watney, Rich Beem and Frank Lickliter.

The 48-year-old Allen fired six birdies and produced an eagle on the par-four 15th in a consistent round which was in marked contrast to Watney's erratic performance.

Watney managed just four pars and his round included 11 birdies, two bogeys and a quadruple bogey on the par-four seventh.

''I hit it in the desert and I was kind of in a spot where I couldn't take an unplayable and go sideways and have any kind of shot,'' Watney told reporters.

''So I tried to hit it out. The ball barely moved, so then I chipped it out. Hit it in the green-side trap and hit it out and three -putted for an eight.'' World number two Phil Mickelson was eight strokes behind Allen after a 71, the same as former PGA champion John Daly.

Reuters AB DB0947