Green fires 62 to lead Texas Open by two over Browne and Claxton

10/10/2008

Nathan Green got off to a rocky start Thursday in the Valero Texas Open. It ended up jump-starting the best round of the Australian's PGA Tour career.

Winless in three seasons on the PGA Tour, Green birdied nine of the first 16 holes before dropping a stroke on the par-3 17th and closing with a par for an 8-under 62 and a two-stroke lead over Olin Browne and Paul Claxton.

Claxton and Browne, a three-time tour winner, had bogey-free 64s in sunny and warm conditions on La Cantera Golf Club's Resort Course.

Tim Herron, Greg Kraft, Patrick Sheehan, Jason Gore, Nick O'Hern and Chad Collins opened with 65s, and Paul Goydos and Bob Tway topped a group at 66.

Defending champion Justin Leonard, the former University of Texas star seeking a record fourth victory in the event, shot a 70.

Leaderboard – Round 1:

1.  Nathan Green                  AUS  62 - 8
2.  Olin Browne                     USA  64 - 6
     Paul Claxton                   USA  64 - 6
4.  Greg Kraft                       USA  65 - 5
     Tim Herron                     USA  65 - 5
     Patrick Sheehan              USA  65 - 5
     Jason Gore                     USA  65 - 5
     Nick O´Hern                    AUS  65 - 5
     Chad Colins                    USA  65 - 5
10. Paul Goydos                   USA  66 - 4
     Kyle Thompson               USA  66 - 4
     Michael Bradley               USA  66 - 4
     Steve Allan                     AUS  66 - 4
     Tag Ridings                    USA  66 - 4
     Joe Ogilvy                      USA  66 - 4
     Bob Tway                       USA  66 - 4
     Alejandro Canizares         ESP  66 - 4
     Todd Demsey                 USA  66 - 4

Source: AP, PGA Tour