Memorial Golf Tournament : Final-Hole Birdie Gives Zoeller the Lead Over Stewart, Couples

Fuzzy Zoeller birdied the final hole Thursday for an opening-round 69 that gave him a one-stroke lead in the Memorial golf tournament at Dublin, Ohio.

Zoeller, who has just one top-10 finish in 10 tournaments this year, almost holed an eight-iron from 144 yards out on the par-four closing hole. He then made a four-inch putt to move ahead of Payne Stewart and Fred Couples.

Another shot back at 71 were David Edwards, Bob Tway, Morris Hatalsky, Kenny Knox, Mark Wiebe, Jim Carter, Brad Bryant, Corey Pavin and Keith Clearwater.

Jack Nicklaus, who founded the tournament and has won it twice, led a long list of players at par 72.

Sunny skies and blustery winds helped dry the Muirfield Village course after four days of rain had left it soft and saturated.

Zoeller, whose best finish at the Memorial was third 11 years ago, made the turn at even par but had five birdies and a double-bogey on the back side.

Stewart, who won the Heritage tournament a month ago, was three-under at the turn but overcame three bogeys on the back nine to finish at two-under.

Defending champion Curtis Strange struggled to a 78, while Greg Norman finished at 75 along with Masters champion Nick Faldo. Former Masters and British Open champion Sandy Lyle shot a 76.