A weather delay of nearly two hours didn't seem to bother David Love III, who tied a tournament record with 10 birdies in a nearly flawless performance at The International.
Love claimed the early first-round lead Thursday with 19 points under the modified Stableford scoring system used in this event.
Charles Howell III was next with 14 points.
Play was delayed by lightning in the afternoon for 1 hour, 44 minutes and was suspended because of darkness with 13 players still on the course. They were to conclude their rounds early yesterday before the second round.
Love, who has won three times this season and stands fourth on the PGA Tour money list with more than US$4.2 million, finished 1 point shy of the tournament record and matched the record for most birdies. Greg Whisman had 10 birdies in the first round of the 1992 tournament, and Ernie Els had 10 in the third round in 1994.
"That's probably the most birdies I've ever made in a round," Love said. "I don't think I could hit it much better, and I couldn't have putted much better either."
He said his ball-striking was comparable to the final round of the Players Championship, which he won with a closing 64. In fact, Love said Thursday's round was "maybe even better."
Love, who needed only 23 putts, said he "can't remember the last time I putted with such confidence all the way through."
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