Golf Roundup : Couples Fires a 63 to Take 2-Stroke Lead

Fred Couples birdied six holes in a row on his way to a course-record nine-under-par 63 Thursday to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the $500,000 Honda tournament at Coral Springs, Fla.

Couples’ birdie streak was two short of a PGA record.

“It was one of those days where you just go along and hit a shot and hit another shot and make a putt and go on to the next hole and just try to shoot as low as you can,” Couples said.

Willie Wood birdied the 18th hole to move into second at 65.

A group at 66 included Peter Jacobsen and the unrelated Greens, Ken and former U.S. Open champion Hubert, who played one string of 10 consecutive holes with only nine putts.

At Phoenix, Patty Sheehan, returning from a two-week layoff, shot a seven-under-par 65 to take a three-stroke lead after the opening round of the $150,000 LPGA Samaritan Turquoise tournament.

Sheehan, who already has won $46,650 on this year’s tour despite skipping last week’s Tucson event, had seven birdies on her way to a 34-31 round.

Alone in second place was Canadian Lynn Parker, whose four-under 68 matched her best round in less than two years on the pro tour.