Byrd & Lewis top leaderboard

Jonathan Byrd, in his second year on the PGA Tour, and 1999 champion J.L. Lewis shots 6-under 65s Thursday and shared the first-round lead at the John Deere Classic.

Vijay Singh, third on the Tour's money list this year, closed with an eagle and birdie to finish at 66, tied with Chris Riley who finished his round with a three-putt bogey.

"I look at these golf Tournaments like marathons. You aren't going to win the first day," Riley said.

Eight players were two shots off the lead, while six others had 68s at the 7,193-yard Tournament Players Club at Deere Run, near the Quad Cities.

"I think my mind was clicking for me today more than anything. I never got rattled," said Lewis, who had six birdies.

Lewis, whose only career win came at the John Deere Classic, also said he has overcome nagging rib and shoulder injuries that have hampered him.

"I've been inconsistent this year but some of that has been due to injury and some of it has been due to I've been inconsistent," said Lewis, who has four top 10 finishes and ranks 60th on the money list.

Byrd, who won the 2002 Buick Challenge as a rookie and is 64th on the money list, has three top-10 finishes this year but said he has struggled since his eighth-place finish at The Masters.

"When you're feeling mentally good and you're trusting your game and you're just kind of out there enjoying every shot and having fun, that's when things are good," said Byrd, who had seven birdies and a bogey.

Thursday's round was suspended due to darkness as Scott Laycock was about to finish his final hole with a putt. Play is expected to continue as scheduled Friday morning.

Players observed a moment of silence shortly after play began in memory of the second anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. American flags were used on the flag sticks instead of the traditional yellow ones with numbers.

The Tournament drew its best-ever field after being moved back from its traditional July spot on the schedule. The Tournament boasted 14 players with a total of 20 major championships until 1995 U.S. Open winner Corey Pavin withdrew after eight holes because of a neck injury.

Several of the marquee names remain within striking distance of the lead, including Justin Leonard (69) and leading money-winner Davis Love III (70).

Defending champion J.P. Hayes also had a 70, nine shots off his course-record opening round last year. He won with a 22-under total.

Tour commissioner Tim Finchem likes having new names on leaderboards this year, saying it adds to the PGA's list of recognizable players, which translates into more fans.

"People are talking about it ... when people are talking about your sport, that's a good thing," Finchem said.

But that doesn't mean he's ready to put Tiger Woods out to pasture.

"To have the most recognizable individual in the world in athletics in your sport, you don't trade that for anything. But behind him ... the more recognizable players we have, it's great, so that's why this year is terrific," Finchem said.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page