Daly Continues Streak at Southern Open

John Daly shot a five-under-par 67 Thursday, his fifth consecutive round of 67 or better, for a share of the first-round lead in the Southern Open golf tournament at Pine Mountain, Ga.

Using his length off the tee to shrink the 7,057-yard, par-72 course, Daly shot 34-33 and shares the lead with Ed Humenik, Kelly Gibson, Ed Fiori and rookie Robert Friend. Humenik shot a 31 on the front nine and Fiori matched it on the back.

Phil Mickelson and Gary Hallberg, who was five under before bogeying the par-four 17th, are at 68. Tied at 69 are E.J. Pfister, Tommy Armour III, Kenny Perry and Neal Lancaster.

“Keeping my swing as slow as I have, even last week, has really paid off,” said Daly, who pocketed $144,000 for last week’s victory at the B.C. Open, his first since winning the 1991 PGA. “I’ve just been hitting so many more greens than usual. This is probably one of the most solid first rounds I think I’ve played all year. I just hope to keep the tempo going.”

After going 64 holes without a bogey, Daly’s streak came to an end at the par-four 18th, when his approach hit the back bunker. That was Daly’s ninth hole, since he started on the back nine.