Billy Glasson Shoots a 62 to Take Lead at Las Vegas

Billy Glasson eliminated much of the confusion in the $1,042,000 Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational golf tournament Wednesday.

Glasson, who said he plays “in constant pain” from an arthritic condition in his knees, shot an eight-under-par 62 in the first round of this five-day, 90-hole event held on three courses.

The spectacular effort, capped off by a birdie-birdie-birdie finish:

--Matched the low score on the PGA Tour this year.

--Was the best round of Glasson’s life.

--Set a record on the par-70 Tropicana Country Club course.

--And kept Glasson from becoming involved in the confusion over who was in second place.

It could be Tom Watson, who shot a 66 on the par-72 Desert Inn course.

Or depending on how it’s figured, it could be a tie among Scott Hoch, Phil Blackmar and Paul Azinger, who had 65s at Tropicana.

The pros are required to play one round on each of the three courses--Tropicana, Desert Inn and the par-71 Las Vegas--each day with a four-man amateur team before the field is cut for the final two rounds Saturday and Sunday at Las Vegas.