Golf Roundup : Grady, Peete Share Lead With Course-Record 65s at Houston

Wayne Grady of Australia birdied six of the final nine holes Thursday in the first round of the $500,000 Houston Open to finish in a tie for the lead with Calvin Peete at seven-under-par 65.

Grady and Peete bettered the course record of 66 shot by Payne Stewart in last year’s tournament on the 7,042-yard TPC course at The Woodlands, Tex.

Grady had 10 birdies and held a one-shot lead over Peete going to the final hole. But Grady three-putted from 35 feet for a bogey.

The co-leaders held a two-stroke lead over Mike Hulbert.

Masters champion Jack Nicklaus finished the round at 72.

Cathy Kratzert, selecting her own clubs in the absence of her regular caddy, shot a five-under-par 67 for a one-stroke lead in the first round of the $200,000 S&H; women’s tournament at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Kratzert lipped out on the 14th hole from 12 feet or she would have ended with six consecutive birdies on the 6,013-yard course.

“I’m doing my own yardage because I have a friend out on the course with me (Donna Fiedorowicz) instead of my regular caddy,” Kratzert said. “ . . . I think it helped me because it kept my mind busy. I didn’t have time to think too much about my shots.”

Janet Coles, Robin Walton, Laurie Rinker and Jane Crafter were one stroke behind.

At Austin, Tex., Jack Burke Jr. and Paul Harney teamed for a nine-under-par 61 to take the first-round lead in the $500,000 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.

Orville Moody and Bruce Crampton were second at 63 in the better-ball, senior competition.

Gary Player and Arnold Palmer, teaming up for the first time, finished at 70.