Uihlein’s fine recovery

Peter Uihlein produced the shot of the day on his way to reaching the top of the leaderboard on the first day of the Perth International.

The American made an encouraging return from a wrist injury at last week’s Maybank Championship and made further progress in his rehabilitation by carding 65 at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, Australia.

Uihlein, whose sole European Tour victory came in 2013 at the Madeira Islands Open, leads Romain Wattel and Shiv Kapur by one stroke after reaching seven under with six birdies and an eagle.

The 26-year-old overtook early starters Wattel and Kapur with three more birdies on the back nine.

Strong winds meant he had to make a tough recovery shot on the 15th after hooking his tee shot towards trees.

France’sWattel, who mixed eight birdies with two front-nine bogeys, had already posted his lowest score of the season. Meanwhile 34-year- old Kapur of India enjoyed blemish-free round of 66.

Northern Irish hopeful Cormac Sharvin is part of a mostlyAustralian chasing pack tied for fourth place after fluffing the opportunity to match the leaders when he double-bogeyed the 533-yard 15th hole.

David Drysdale was the leading Scot on three under, with Jamie McLeary two shots further back and Stephen Gallacher five over.

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Peter Uihlein shot a 65.