One-Time Winner Leads

Jim Carter, with one PGA Tour victory since turning pro in 1985, shot a seven-under-par 65 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead in the Shell Houston Open.

Esteban Toledo of Mexico, looking for his first tour victory, charged home in the afternoon with a 66 on the TPC at the Woodlands. Vijay Singh was two strokes back along with Chris Riley, J.P. Hayes, Scott Verplank, Brian Bateman and Jay Haas.

Carter’s round stood up while other more recognizable players faltered. John Daly was five under through 16 holes but bogeyed No. 17 and double-bogeyed No. 18 for a 70.

Greg Norman, playing in the tournament for the first time since 1991, also had a 70. Craig Perks, an unknown until winning the Players Championship last week, opened with a 74.

Carter had seven birdies--five on the back nine--in his bogey-free round.

“I’ve had good first rounds before and this was nice,” Carter said. “It was just a good, solid round. I didn’t seem to do anything stupid. I didn’t seem to do anything real spectacular. It’s always nice to get a good solid round under your belt.”

It was Carter’s low round of the year. He tied for 49th last week in the Players Championship.

“I’ve been playing really great golf, and I’m waiting to bust out,” Carter said. “I’ve made a few mistakes. I’ve just kind of inserted those into my round. I didn’t do that today and hopefully I’m done doing that for the year.”

Singh was five under at the turn but couldn’t better that on his final nine holes.

The tournament will end a 24-year association with the Woodlands, the last 17 at the TPC. It will begin play in 2003 at Redstone Golf Club.

There were seven others three shots off the pace at 68, including former champion Robert Allenby and Houston favorite Fred Couples and Nick Price. Defending champion Hal Sutton shot a 72.