Dropped shot on the last costs Pettersson lead
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Updated: 2002-07-19 09:16

A dropped shot on the last green cost Swedish outsider Carl Pettersson the sole first-round lead in the British Open on Thursday.

The 24-year-old with the muscular swing had seemed set for overnight glory after he thumped a two-iron a massive 275 yards into the 17th green en route to his sixth birdie to become the first player to reach five-under par.

But Pettersson, who turned professional last year and chalked up his maiden European Tour victory at the Algarve Open in April, missed a 25 foot par put on the last and had to settle for a 67 and a share of first place with American duo Duffy Waldorf and David Toms.

Pettersson, who is based in the United States after attending college in North Carolina, has enjoyed a consistent second season as a pro, missing the cut only once in 19 events, and looked relaxed in his first appearance in a major.