Hill & Kamm tied for first day lead

Former PGA Tour members Guy Hill and Brian Kamm each carded seven-under 65s to share Thursday's first- round lead in the Buy.com Louisiana Open at the Le Triomphe Country Club. Tim Thelen and Rob McKelvey are one shot back after posting 66s.

Hill began on the back nine, birdieing his first two holes and three of the first five before suffering his only bogey of the day at the 17th. He rebounded from his error with three straight birdies on holes 18, one and two, then ensured himself of a new career-low round with birdies on two of his last three holes.

Hill, who was married on March 17th, was a little surprised he was able to play so well under the circumstances.

"This is my first tournament as a husband," said the 28-year-old Hill. "I'm still on my honeymoon a bit, so it was difficult to think about golf."

Hill, who played a full season on the PGA Tour in 1998, started in only three PGA Tour events last season but recorded his best-ever finish with a tie for 10th at the Doral-Ryder Open.

Kamm enjoyed a bogey-free round that saw him birdie four of the first seven holes to make the turn in 32. He made a quick climb to the top of the leaderboard on the back nine with three straight birdies on holes 13, 14 and 15.

The 38-year-old Kamm spent seven years on the PGA Tour, finishing in the top-10 nine times during that period. His best showing was a tie for sixth at the 1994 Bell Canadian Open, where he finished four strokes behind the winner Nick Price.

Tripp Isenhour, the winner of last month's Mississippi Gulf Coast Open, shot a 67 and is tied with Steve Runge, Vance Veazey, Ben Ferguson, Larry Rinker and R.W. Eaks at minus-five. Eaks was the winner here in 1993.

Thursday's play marked the return of Todd Gleaton, a two-time winner in 1997. Gleaton was seriously injured in a one-car accident last May in Pinehurst, North Carolina and spent 32 days in intensive care after suffering a broken back, shoulder and ribs. Gleaton struggled in his round back -- his first 18 holes since the accident -- shooting an 88.

Defending champion Matt Gogel is not on hand to defend his title as he is competing on the PGA Tour.

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