SOUTH Korea's Joon-Woo Choi is the leader of the Australian PGA Championships midway through the opening round at Hyatt Regency Coolum.

Choi carded six birdies, a bogey and an eagle on the par-four 16th to finish on six-under par 66, one stroke ahead of New South Welshman Aaron Townsend and big-hitting American Bubba Watson.

Pre-tournament favourite Adam Scott experienced a dramatic round which saw him recover from five-over par to finish at two-under par 70.

British Open champion Darren Clarke is at three-under.

Some of the big names including Aaron Baddeley, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler are playing this afternoon.

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