Byrne's putting lets him down in Taipei

Banchory's James Byrne, a two-time winner on the Asian Development Tour and a former Walker Cup player, shot a two-under-par 70 to be joint eighth, five behind the leader, Lin Wen-Ko (Taiwan) at the end of the first round of the Ambassador ADT tournament at Hsinchu, Chinese Taipei today.

Byrne said: "I was disappointed not to return with a lower score after struggling with the putter.

 “It is a good score in the wind but I left a lot of shots out there especially on the back nine (he started from 10th tee). I didn’t capitalise at all and let a good round go. I hit the ball really well but didn’t hole anything.

“I was on the green in two at the four par-5s  but only birdied one of them (the 14th). I’m really disappointed with the putting,” said Byrne who had other birdies at the 10th, 11th and 13th.