SUNRIVER, Ore. -- Mike Reid and Mark McNulty shot 6-under-66s on Thursday to share the first-round lead in The Tradition, the Champion Tour's fourth major of the year.
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David Edwards was a stroke back, and Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw and Bruce Summerhays shot 68s at the Crosswater Golf Club in the high desert of central Oregon.
Reid's 66 was his lowest score since March.
"It's just been a flat period in my game. I don't have an explanation for it. I've been feeling good," Reid said.
Under sunny conditions, a few spectators watched by boat on the Little Deschutes River that winds through the 7,436-yard course -- the new tournament site.
Reid made a 14-foot-birdie putt on the par-4 18th, one of four birdies he made on the last six holes.
McNulty, who has had lower back problems and also has had a down year on the tour for players 50 and older, birdied his last four holes.
"Obviously it hasn't been that great. A lot of injuries," he said. "I guess it's my birth certificate catching up."
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| Mike Reid examines his putter up close. It certainly didn't let him down Thursday. (AP) |
Watson had eight birdies and four bogeys. His strategy for the rest of the tournament? "Try to keep the eight birdies every day and get rid of the bogeys," he said.
Last year, Argentina's Eduardo Romero came from five shots back on the final day to beat Lonnie Nielsen with a birdie on the first playoff hole at the Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club in Aloha, west of Portland.
The Tradition started at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz., before it was moved to Superstition Mountain. With the help of Oregon native Peter Jacobsen, the event moved again in 2003 to the Reserve. Jacobsen shot a 72 on Thursday.
Money leader Jay Haas, who had a first-round 70, has finished in the top 10 in the season's first three majors.
Tom Watson won the British Open, Brad Bryant took the U.S. Senior Open and Denis Watson won the Senior PGA Championship.
The Tradition is sponsored by Jeld-Wen, an Oregon-based window and door manufacturer.
