Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Veteran Janzen tied for John Deere lead

SILVIS, Ill. --- Lee Janzen stirred some memories and was tied with Darron Stiles for the lead after firing 7-under 64 in the first round of the John Deere Classic on Thursday.

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Associated Press
J.J. Henry shot 65 and is one of three players tied for second after the first round of the John Deere Classic.

Janzen has not won on the PGA Tour since he captured his second U.S. Open in 1998, yet he's in position after an impressive start at TPC Deere Run.

"It'd be exciting; I would love to win," Janzen said. "If it doesn't happen this week, I still think that I'm capable of winning, and it won't stop me from continuing to work on my game to get better."

The 44-year-old was at 8-under after birdies on the 16th and 17th holes and played bogey-free golf until the 18th, when he hit a bunker and missed an 8-foot par putt.

J.J. Henry, Matt Bettencourt and Dean Wilson were all one stroke off the lead at 65.

Last year's winner Kenny Perry, who's second on the money list, opened with 68, while U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover and former Masters Tournament champion Zach Johnson shot 69.

Augusta native Charles Howell also shot 69, while Evans resident Vaughn Taylor shot 71.

It was not a good day for David Duval, who finished with 75.

EUROPEAN TOUR: In Luss, Scotland, Martin Laird twice chipped in for birdie on his way to 6-under 65 that left him one shot behind Richard Green after the opening round of the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.

Laird was born in Glasgow but never played as a pro in Scotland, or any European Tour event, until Thursday.

John Daly, who continues to play most of his golf in Europe after his six-month suspension on the PGA Tour was lifted, had three bogeys on the back nine and finished at 69.

Also at 69 were Ernie Els, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas.

Former Louisville, Ga., resident Brian Gay shot 70. Former Augusta State golfer Gary Murphy had 72, and Oliver Wilson, another former Jaguar, shot 74.

NATIONWIDE TOUR: In Clarks-burg, Ontario, Kyle Reifers shot 11-under 61 for a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Wayne Gretzky Classic.

Former Augusta State golfer Major Manning opened with 71, while Augusta native Scott Parel shot 72. North Augusta's Scott Brown shot 73.

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