Charles Howell III set a course record with a 10-under-par 61–including a 28 on his final nine holes at the TPC at Avenel–and held a three-shot lead after the first round of the Booz Allen Classic at Potomac, Md.
Howell carded the lowest opening-round score this year on the PGA Tour.
It also was the second-lowest overall round of the season.
“It was one of those funny days where everything tends to work your way,” said Howell, who called the round the best of his career.
– Kim Saiki took a step toward ending a winless run of 13 years on the LPGA Tour with a bogey-free 66 that gave her a one-stroke lead over Candie King after the opening round of the Rochester tournament at Pittsford, N.Y.
– Defending champion Michelle Wie and medalist Brittany Lang were among the winners as match play began in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship at Williamsburg, Va.
– Darren Fichardt birdied five of the last nine holes for a 5-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead over Ian Woosnam in the French Open at Versailles.
– Illinois coach Mike Small shot a 6-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the PGA Club Professional Championship at Nashport, Ohio.
