Lonard Shoots 62 and Leads By Two

Peter Lonard shot a nine-under par 62 and finished with a two-stroke lead after Thursday’s opening round of the MCI Heritage at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Lonard was two strokes ahead of Thomas Levet, who birdied six of his last eight holes to shoot a 64. Darren Clarke was at 65 with Patrick Sheehan another stroke back.

Lonard, a 37-year-old Australian in his fourth season on the PGA Tour, opened with a bogey, but then made 11 birdies over the next 15 holes to take the lead and briefly flirt with a 59.

He made par on 17 and bogeyed 18.

It was some welcome flash for a tournament in need of excitement without Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson.

Lonard’s lowest tour round ever tied Davis Love III for the best opening-day score at the Heritage. He finished a stroke from David Frost’s 11-year-old record of 61 at Harbour Town Golf Links.

Defending champion Stewart Cink, at No. 11 in the world, is the highest-ranked player in the field. He shot a 71.

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Karrie Webb shot a seven-under 65 for a share of the lead with Wendy Ward at the Takefuji Classic in Las Vegas.

“I’m really close to putting everything together,” Webb said. “Obviously shooting 65 gives me a lot of confidence.”

Amateur In-Bee Park, a native of South Korea who is a 16-year-old high school junior in Las Vegas, shot a 66 that left her in a group one shot behind the co-leaders.

Wendy Doolan had consecutive eagles on her way to a 66. Catriona Matthew and Mi Hyun Kim also are a shot back.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr opened with a 72.