Zoeller, Ahern Tied at Tradition

Fuzzy Zoeller and Jim Ahern shot six-under-par 66s and shared a one-stroke lead Thursday after the opening round of the Jeld-Wen Tradition at Aloha, Ore., the year’s final major on the Champions Tour.

Hale Irwin and Graham Marsh had 67s, and six players -- Wayne Levi, Tom Kite, Tom Watson, Bruce Fleisher, David Eger and Morris Hatalsky -- were another stroke back.

Zoeller and Ahern had stretches of three consecutive birdies on the back nine.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing this course, and I’ve had a good feeling for it,” Zoeller said. “Any time you can get out and play golf for a living, it’s a great life.”

Ahern was three under going into the final three holes when he put together his three birdies.

On 17, he landed a perfect eight-iron only 15 feet from the cup.

“I don’t normally expect to make 15-footers, but I hit a great putt that just cut right in there,” Ahern said.

Irwin also had a string of three birdies, beginning on 15, but said he was unhappy with his overall play.

“I hit some very, very poor shots out there, but fortunately I got away with them,” said Irwin, whose back problems have limited his play.

Irwin, the winningest senior with 37 tour victories, said his back bothered him again Thursday despite steady improvement in his score through a round that did not include a bogey.

“I hit enough nice putts to salvage a very good round,” Irwin said. “On paper it looked very good.”

Jack Nicklaus, a four-time winner of the event, finished at even-par 72.

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Candie Kung, coming off her second LPGA Tour win of the year, shot an eight-under 64 and took a two-shot lead in the first round of the State Farm Classic at Springfield, Ill.

Kung had six birdies, including a 30-foot birdie putt on 18, and an eagle in matching her low round of the season.

Hee-Won Han, a two-time winner this year, shot a 66.

Michelle McGann, the 1996 tournament champion, Kristi Albers, Leslie Spalding, Pat Hurst and Tammie Green were all at 67.

The tournament’s last six winners won for the first time on tour.

Defending champion Patricia Meunier-Lebouc is not playing because of a pregnancy-related illness.

State Farm extended its tournament sponsorship through 2006.