Henninger Has 66 for Greater Good

Teamed with Hal Sutton and defending champion Jesper Parnevik, Brian Henninger played up to his competition Thursday, and is tied for first place after one round in the $3-million Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic in North Carolina.

Henninger, who has missed the cut in six of 11 PGA Tour events this year, parred the first six holes at Forest Oaks Country Club before going on a birdie tear, reeling off five in a row and seven in eight holes, to finish at six-under-par 66 and tied for the lead with Scott Verplank.

“I was playing with two players who are on the top of their game,” Henninger said. “If that can’t stimulate you, nothing can.”

Sutton, who won this year’s Players Championship, was at 67 along with Sean Murphy, Omar Uresti and Doug Dunakey.

Parnevik, who set the 72-hole record here at 23 under last year, shot a 69.

“That was pretty good for a group, wasn’t it?” Sutton said of his threesome.

Verplank, who lost a playoff here to Trevor Dodds in 1998 and hasn’t won on tour since 1988, had his best round of the year.

“I don’t feel like I played great today,” Verplank said. “But I hit the ball in the fairway and on the green, and I hit it close enough to make some birdies.”