Pampling Early to Rise in Houston Open

Rod Pampling was first on the course Thursday and wound up first on the leaderboard.

He shot a six-under-par 66 and held a one-stroke lead over Chris Riley after the opening round of the wind-swept Shell Houston Open.

The Australian-born Pampling was in the first threesome off the 10th tee just after daybreak at Redstone Golf Club and took advantage of calm conditions. The winds kicked up in the afternoon, making play more treacherous for later starters.

Riley had eight birdies and three bogeys for his 67, one shot better than Frank Lickliter II, Stephen Ames, Arjun Atwal, Deane Pappas and Lucas Glover.

Eight golfers, including Hal Sutton, a winner of this event three years ago, were at 69. Defending champion Fred Couples got to three under before bogeys on 17 and 18 left him with a 71.

Pampling birdied his first three holes, then added another on the par-five 15th and was four under at the turn. He birdied No. 2, his 11th hole, then reeled off six pars before closing out his bogey-free round with a two-putt birdie on the final hole.

“To get out early without a lot of wind, it was nice to capitalize and start well and just hang on -- well, not hang on, but consolidate from there and just build,” he said.

Pampling, 34, who has a home just outside Dallas, joined the PGA Tour full time in 2002 and is looking for his first victory. He has made the cut in nine of 10 events this year, including a tie for ninth at the Bob Hope Classic.