Frazar Blows Into the Lead at Memorial

Harrison Frazar, unfazed by swirling winds Thursday, shot a bogey-free, six-under-par 66 that gave him a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Memorial at Dublin, Ohio. Tom Scherrer and Kenny Perry were at 69.

“I’m used to hearing the wind whistle through your hat and your ears,” said Frazar, who grew up in West Texas. “The panic mode doesn’t come on as much.”

Greg Norman, back from a five-week hiatus, looked sharp in a round of 70. He was joined by Justin Leonard, who won a U.S. Amateur at the Muirfield Village course and is trying to emerge from the deepest slump of his career.

Tiger Woods, trying to successfully defend his title in a tournament where no champion has ever repeated, played it safe and had no regrets. He had two birdies, a bogey on the par-five fifth hole and had a 71, along with Hal Sutton.

“Any time you play the first round, you don’t want to put yourself out of it,” Woods said. “Under these conditions, it’s very easy to shoot a whole bunch over par.”

Jack Nicklaus, honored by the Memorial in an emotional ceremony Wednesday, struggled to a 75 on the course he built. Seven players failed to break 80.

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Mi Hyun Kim of South Korea overcame gusting wind and a soggy course with a masterful seven-under 65 to take the first-round lead of the LPGA Corning Classic at Corning, N.Y., by two strokes over Penny Hammel.