US Tour: Britain's Justin Rose and Americans Kevin Sutherland and Michael Putnam shot five-under-par 65s to share the lead midway through the first round of the Buick Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, yesterday.
Rose and Sutherland made flawless starts to the $4.3 million event at the TPC at River Highlands, while Putman carded six birdies and one bogey.
Playing the back nine first, American Dean Wilson hit five consecutive birdies from the 13th to join the leaders at five-under with six holes to play - before a triple-bogey seven dropped him off the top. John Huston, Tim Petrovic, Jason Bohn and Bo Van Pelt finished on 67.
Woody Austin, who ended a nine-year title drought with his play-off victory over Tim Herron 12 months ago, opened the defence of his crown with a one-under 69.
Kenny Perry, who was tied with eventual winner Tiger Woods for the lead going into the final round of the NEC World Championship in Ohio last week before a late collapse dropped him into a tie for sixth place, returned an even-par 70.
CHALLENGE TOUR: Rory McIlroy, the 16-year-old Irish Amateur Champion, outplayed each of his professional countrymen to be the only Irishman to survive the halfway cut at the European Challenge Tour's Morson International Pro-Am Challenge yesterday.
The talented Holywood youngster carded a second round of three-over- par 73 in the worst conditions of the day to just make the two over cut on his Challenge Tour debut.
His far more experienced countrymen had a hugely disappointing tournament at the Marriott Worsley Park Hotel and Country Club, with current Challenge Tour number four David Higgins finishing on three over, Colm Moriarty on five over, Justin Kehoe on nine over and Tim Rice on 11 over par.
LPGA TOUR: Last week's winner in Portland, Soo-Yun Kang, remained in top form to share the early lead in the clubhouse on the first day of the Wendy's Championship at Dublin, Ohio, yesterday.
Her six-under-par round of 66 left her tied with Heather Daly-Donofrio and Paula Marti. Paula Creamer shot an opening round 68 (-4), while world number one Annika Sorenstam trails by three strokes after the opening round.
