Lee Westwood made the most of a rain-softened course to fire a sizzling seven-under 63 on Thursday and grab the lead in the weather-disrupted first round of the St Jude Classic.
The Englishman, using the event as a tuneup for next week’s US Open at Pebble Beach, had a one-shot lead over Casey Wittenberg, who was in the clubhouse with a 64 when play was halted for the day.
Severe thunderstorms had stopped play for an hour before the round was called for the night with 20 players still on the course.
Ireland’s Padraig Harrington carded a 65, while Australian John Senden and New Zealand’s Phil Tataurangi were among a group sharing fourth on 66.
Westwood, ranked No. 3 in the world, started on the 10th and got right to work. Four of his five birdies came on the back nine, along with an eagle as he set a course record 29 over those nine holes.
“I wasn’t even aware I shot 29,” Westwood said.
Through his first 10 holes, Westwood needed just 11 putts.
It has been a busy week for Westwood, who played 27 holes at Pebble Beach last Sunday and another 18 on Monday before arriving in Memphis.
Playing this tournament for the first time, Westwood played nine holes on Tuesday and a practice round on Wednesday.
As the heat and humidity built, none of the afternoon starters was able to mount a challenge.
Wittenberg, who lives next to the course, used his local knowledge and had his father as caddie as he matched his lowest round on the USPGA Tour.
While Westwood was playing with Pebble Beach in the back of his mind, Wittenberg said he’s more relaxed knowing he didn’t qualify for the US Open.
“My expectations are really kind of low,” said Wittenberg, who missed his last four cuts on the Nationwide developmental tour.
■ESTORIL OPEN
AP, ESTORIL, PORTUGAL
Damien McGrane of Ireland and Luke Goddard of England shot eight-under 64s to share the lead after the first round of the Estoril Open on Thursday.
The pair led by a stroke from Stuart Manley of Wales and Eirik Tage Johansen of Norway.
McGrane and Goddard raised the issue of whether they equaled the record or set a new one for the holiday resort course of Penha Longa on the westernmost peninsula of continental Europe.
Welshman Philip Price shot a 64 at Penha Longa in 1994, but par then was 71. In recent years, the course has been lengthened and the par increased to 72.
What was clear, however, were the chances McGrane missed to put an end to the record debate.
While his bogey-free round contained eight birdies, he also missed close-range opportunities with his putter on the 10th, 17th and 18th greens. A 63 would have equaled his lowest score in 14 years on tour.
McGrane had a run of five birdies in six holes from the 11th.
Goddard turned pro after last’s years Walker Cup and had previously failed to make the cut in any of the European Challenge Tour events this year. However, while he made six birdies, his card was enhanced when he sank his second shot from the 11th fairway to make an eagle two.
McGrane and Goddard were among the afternoon starters playing when the course was softened by two short, but fierce rain showers at lunchtime.
They were chasing an early seven-under 65 total set by US-born Norwegian Johansen.
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