Taylor (63) Takes Heritage Lead

With a nerve-racking and disappointing Masters debut behind him, Vaughn Taylor relaxed and played his best round of the year Thursday at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Taylor, who grew up in Augusta, Ga., shot an eight-under-par 63 to take the lead after the first round of the Verizon Heritage.

Taylor missed the cut at Augusta, but instead of letting the disappointment linger, he found the play he’d hoped to have at the Masters.

Taylor is one stroke ahead of Jim Furyk and two in front of Tom Pernice Jr., Billy Mayfair and Duffy Waldorf.

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Lorena Ochoa started the Takefuji Classic at Las Vegas much the same way she ended it last year, shooting an opening nine-under 63 to take a two-shot lead over Shi Hyun Ahn.

Ochoa had two eagles during her round at the Las Vegas Country Club. She finished last year’s tournament on a roll that carried her into a second-place finish.