Curtis & Lewis take opening round honours

Former British Open winner Ben Curtis and fellow American JL Lewis shot six-under-par 64s to share the lead after the first round of the $4.3 million Buick Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut on Thursday.

Without a trophy since his shock victory at Royal St George's two years ago, Curtis made a perfect start with back-to-back birdies at the TPC at River Highlands and never carded a bogey all day.

Lewis, also without a win since 2003, matched Curtis's error-free round.

"It was a real good start, the best of starts that you can think of," said Curtis, who has missed the cut in 13 out of 18 tournaments this season.

"I just felt comfortable all day," he told reporters. "It was one of those days where even though the swing didn't feel as good as it could have been, it was good enough to hit some close shots.

"I think you come and you just kind of like the place. It's one where you've got to control your golf shots, you've got to control the spin of the shots."

One stroke off the lead on five-under 65 were Briton Justin Rose and Americans Kevin Sutherland, Vaughn Taylor, Franklin Langham and Michael Putnam, who was making his professional debut.

Japan's Hidemichi Tanaka was in equal eighth spot on 66 alongside Corey Pavin, Chris Smith and Joe Durant.

Playing on a sponsor's exemption, Putnam spent a good part of the day perched atop the leaderboard after mixing six birdies with a single bogey.

"I was excited, I waited all summer to turn pro until after the Walker Cup (two weeks ago)," said Putnam.

"That was my whole goal this summer, to play in the Walker Cup, get the Cup back for the United States. After we did that, it was an easy decision to turn pro."

The 22-year-old Putnam said his bogey five at the fourth hole settled his nerves.

"I think that bogey is really what calmed me down to get the rest of the round going because I finally did everything on the golf course," he said.

"I made birdie, made par, then there was a bogey. After that, I was pretty calm and ready to go."

Woody Austin, who ended a nine-year victory drought with his playoff win over Tim Herron 12 months ago, opened the defence of his title with a one-under 69.

Kenny Perry, who was tied for the lead with eventual winner Tiger Woods going into the final round of the WGC-NEC Invitational in Ohio last week before a late collapse dropped him into a share of sixth place, recorded an even-par 70.

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