Several of the young tyros stumbled as the experienced Peter Fowler, Craig Parry and Peter Lonard took control in the opening round of the ANZ Championship at the NSW Golf Club.

Fowler, 43, took the early lead and didn't relinquish it.

He shot nine birdies, including four back-to-back, as light winds allowed players to attack the links-style par 72 course.

His 17 points under the $1.75 million tournament's modified stableford system saw him lead Stuart Appleby by one point (both shot 64s), with Peter Lonard on 15 points (65), and Craig Parry on 14 points (65).

Adam Scott, 22, grabbed a solitary point today as poor play on the fairways resulted in a double bogey on the par three second, four bogeys and four birdies.

It was Fowler's day as he continued his golf rejuvenation after being written off following the loss of his European playing card in 2000.

Last year he made it back on that tour and backed up with solid results in Australia, tieing for second at the 2002 Heineken Classic and third at the Jacobs Creek Open.

His tied ninth at last week's Heineken Classic was a good indication of his form as off-season training paid off for the Sydney-born but Auckland-based golfer.

"My game's coming together," Fowler said, whose played was only marred by a bogey on the ninth.

"I work out six times a week in the gym for one to one-and-a-half hours and I've started the year with a higher base. I feel rejuvenated, I'm feeling good."

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