SPORTS> World Events
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SPORTS> World Events
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Australian Green fires 62 to lead Texas Open
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-10 10:17 HOUSTON - Australian Nathan Green fired an eight-under-par 62 to vault into a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Texas Open in San Antonio on Thursday.
The 33-year-old Green continued the spate of low scores at the short, 6,881-yard La Cantera course over the years by posting nine birdies over his first 16 holes before giving a stroke back with a bogey at the par-three 17th. The lowest 72-hole total recorded on the PGA Tour of 26-under-par 254 was set here in 2003 by Tommy Armour III. Two shots behind Green at 64 were Americans Olin Browne and Paul Claxton, who both had six birdies in bogey-free rounds. Another stroke adrift at five-under-par 65 were Americans Greg Kraft, 1997 winner Tim Herron, Jason Gore, Patrick Sheehan, Chad Collins and Australian Nick O'Hern. "My wedge game is just really sharp," said Green, seeking his first US Tour win and playing this event for the first time. "I can't explain the score because I don't usually like bermuda grass. That's probably the best I putted on that. "It was just one of those rounds where everything went right. I got some great bounces." Holder Justin Leonard, who is hoping to win a record fourth Texas Open title, opened with a level-par 70. He won last year with a 19-under 261 total. O'Hern, who made four birdies in a row on his second nine to shoot 30 coming in, said he was comfortable on the layout. "The course kind of suits my game. Reminds me of what we play in Australia," the 36-year-old left-hander said. "Length isn't a factor. If you can get the putter going on these greens, you can shoot a good score." Ten players were knotted at four-under 66 including Australian Steve Allan, former US PGA champion Bob Tway and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares.
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