Five share first day lead

Robert Damron, who withdrew in frustration after the third round of the Michelob Championship two years ago, shot a 5-under-par 66 today to grab a share of the first-round lead.

"Traditionally I've had a lot of trouble reading putts here,'' Damron said. "Today, every putt seemed to do what I thought it would do.''

Damron needed only 26 putts, the last a 12-footer for birdie on the 18th hole, but said he couldn't explain why he putted so much better, or why he played so well after not even getting in a practice round.

"I just kind of saw it and went with it,'' he said.

Sean Murphy also shot a 66, capped by a 25-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole, which gave up only 12 birdies against 49 bogeys or worse.

Murphy was 1 under at the turn, but said hitting a 2-iron within 3 feet on the par-3 second hole, his 11th hole, "kind of got me excited.''

He followed it up with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 third and an 8-foot birdie on the par-4 fourth on his way to a closing 3-under 32.

For some, including defending champion Notah Begay III, the whole day was hard. Begay shot a 76, the worst first round for a defender here. And two-time winner David Duval, coming off a victory in last week's Buick Challenge, was 3 over after four holes before rallying for a 70.

Steve Pate, J.P. Hayes, and Cameron Beckman also finished with 66s.

"I putted awesome,'' Beckman said after his 23-putt round, which included 30-footers for birdie three holes apart on the front side.

"Basically I was trying to two-putt both of them, and they went in,'' he said. "Sometimes when you don't try to make them you make them.''

Early on, Pate and Hayes seemed destined to have the lead to themselves. Going out in the third group, they put their 66s up and remained clear of the field until the three late finishers joined them.

In between, the conditions were reminiscent of this tournament when it used to be in July, with high humidity and temperatures in the high 80s.

Lots of golfers made runs to 4-under, and most then gave shots back.

Pate gave one back on No. 9, a 460-yard par 4 that traditionally rates as the toughest on the course. Bogey free after 17 holes, he pull-hooked his approach, had to take a drop and rolled in an 8-footer for his bogey.

"I am glad it's over,'' he said.

Hayes, who played with Pate, was 1-under at the turn before hitting a 3-iron close on No. 2, beginning a stretch of four birdies in six holes.

"It was nice to at least have somebody that I can watch make some putts and know that it could be done,'' Hayes said. "Sometimes you wonder if it can be done if the guy you are playing with isn't doing it.''

Pate was pleased, and maybe a bit surprised, to be that person. After finishing last season a career-best 13th on the PGA Tour money list, he has struggled this season, his best finish a tie for third in Milwaukee.

"I haven't done anything particularly well," he said. "I've played well at times, but the main problem is I haven't had a good week with the putter. I've had weeks where I had two good days, but not one full week.''

Keith Clearwater, who gained his spot in the field Wednesday, was among five tied for sixth at 67. The others were Frank Lickliter, Billy Andrade, Kevin Southerland and Perry Moss.

Curtis Strange, a Kingsmill resident who has never won here in 19 starts, opened with three consecutive birdies but faded to a 70. It was his first round under par in his last six over the 6,853-yard layout.

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