Watson Has Hawaii Lead

Exhibiting a putting touch reminiscent of his prime, Tom Watson shot a bogey-free, eight-under-par 64 Friday to take a two-stroke lead over Wayne Levi after the first round of the MasterCard Championship.

Watson made eight birdies and didn’t have a five on his scorecard at Hualalai Golf Club in shooting his lowest round since a 66 last year in the season-opening event on the Champions Tour.

The eight-time major champion was winless in 2004 as he battled hip and shoulder injuries and weathered the emotional loss of his longtime caddie Bruce Edwards, who died in April of Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Levi also had a bogey-free round. He made consecutive birdies at Nos. 4 and 5, and had three birdies on each nine.

Vicente Fernandez, who took two months off to allow a torn tendon in his left ring finger to heal, chipped in twice for birdie to lead a large group at 67.