Painter takes early two shot lead

Australia's Anthony Painter fired a bogey-free eight-under-par 64 to take a two-shot lead in Thursday's opening round of the Buy.com Greater Cleveland Open.

Tjaart Van der Walt of South Africa posted a six-under 66 to finish the day alone in second while Americans J.J. Henry, John Riegger, Doug Dunakey and Bo Van Pelt each carded 67s to share third place at minus-five.

Painter, who teed off late in the day, started on the back nine of the Quail Hollow Country Club. He birdied four holes on his first nine, including three straight on holes 15, 16 and 17, to make the turn in four-under 32.

Painter soon surged into the lead with eagles on two of the three par-fives on his second nine, the fifth and the seventh holes.

"You get a couple of shots to change your round," said Painter, who is playing in only his second event of the season. "It could have been just a nice three- or four-under round. You hit a couple close and make sure you don't do anything wrong on the other holes and the next minute you are signing a card for eight-under par."

Van der Walt had the early clubhouse lead after collecting seven birdies and one bogey over his first round.

"I felt very comfortable out there," said Van der Walt, whose 66 is the best round in this, his rookie season on the Buy.com Tour. "From the go, every putt I looked at felt like it could go in."

Henry, the winner of last month's Knoxville Open, aced the 196- yard second hole with his five-iron. He made it seven-under with five birdies over the next 10 holes, only to suffer back-to-back bogeys on 13 and 14 to fall back into the four-way tie for third at minus-five.

Ian Leggatt, who is on top of the tour money list after last week's win at the Dayton Open, shot a three-over 75 to finish round one tied for 124th.

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