He was one shot ahead of Scotland's 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie, who was tied in another big group including Frenchmen Thomas Levet and Jean Van de Velde, the runner-up at Carnoustie in 1999.

CNN: Barham blasts to early lead in Austrian Open

Senator Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is the front-runner to succeed her husband in the Oct. 28th presidential election.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The Chavez & Kirchner suitcase scandal

Its entry includes two former world rally champions in Carlos Sainz and Ari Vatanen, as well as last year's runner-up Giniel de Villiers.

BBC: SPORT | Motorsport | Rallying | Dakar Rally welcomes record entry