GOLF ROUNDUP : Persons Isn’t Missing With a 63 at Memphis

Peter Persons, who missed the cut in his last two tournaments, had eight birdies in a round of 63 Thursday for a one-stroke lead over Gil Morgan and Dan Forsman in the opening round of the $1.1-million Federal Express St. Jude Classic at Memphis.

Persons birdied four holes on each side of the 7,006-yard, par-71 Tournament Players Course at Southwind.

Morgan, who birdied six of his last 10 holes, also had eight birdies, but the seven-time PGA Tour winner bogeyed the par-four 13th hole. Forsman birdied three of his last four holes to earn his share of second place.

Bunched at 65 were Japan’s Joe Ozaki, South Africa’s Nick Price and Chris Tucker, with 13 players another stroke off the pace.

“I just made the putts today,” said Persons, whose only tour victory came in the 1990 Chattanooga Classic. “The speed of the greens is perfect for me, but I know they will get quicker.

“The big thing for me is the confidence this round builds. I’ve had a very poor year and I need confidence. Maybe this round will get me going.”

Masters champion Fred Couples, who began his hot streak with a victory at Memphis last year, had a 70.

PGA champion John Daly, whose wife Bettye delivered a 6-pound baby girl Wednesday night, shot 69.

J.C. Snead outdueled playing partner Tommy Aaron on his way to a course-record 65 and a one-shot lead in the opening round of the Senior Players Championship at Dearborn, Mich.

Snead and Aaron blistered the front nine at the par-72 TPC of Michigan course. Both shot five-under 31, matching birdies on Nos. 6, 7 and 8.

They cooled off on the back nine but continued to battle as Bob Charles and Jim Ferree applied pressure.

Aaron finished at 66, equaling the course record set last year by Don Bies and Jim Albus, the 1991 Senior Players champion.

Charles, who birdied five consecutive holes, Ferree and Kermit Zarley were at 67.

Jim Colbert, Rives McBee, Dale Douglas and Butch Baird were at 69, with four players, including Albus and Lee Trevino, finishing at 70.

“I hit a couple of ‘yutsy’ shots, but the ball turned in the direction I wanted it to and I kind of got some breaks,” said Snead, who hasn’t won since joining the Senior PGA Tour in 1990.