Sluman Shoots 64, Takes 2-Stroke Lead

Jeff Sluman birdied nine holes on his way to an eight-under-par 64 and a two-shot lead in Thursday’s first round of the $1-million Greater Greensboro Open golf tournament.

Sluman one-putted 10 times and chipped in once as he tied the course record at the Forest Oaks Country Club.

Sluman, who lost to Sandy Lyle of Scotland in a three-hole sudden-death playoff for the 1987 TPC title, has yet to win in a five-year PGA Tour career.

T.C. Chen of Taiwan had a bogey-free round of 66 and was tied for second with Robert Thompson and Mark Calcavecchia. Thompson played in the morning before the winds came up and birdied six of his first eight holes. Calcavecchia, playing in breezy afternoon weather, had eight birdies.

Scott Hoch and Donnie Hammond were at 67. Lyleled a group at 68 that included Dr. Gil Morgan, Rocco Mediate, Ken Green, Dan Halldorson and Bruce Zabriski.