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DUBLIN, Ohio: England's Luke Donald fired eight birdies in nine holes on his way to an eight-under par 64 and a three-stroke lead after the first round of the US$6-million PGA Memorial Tournament.
The 31-year-old Englishman began a run of six birdies in a row at the eighth hole and added two more at the 15th and 16th. He holed a 48-yard wedge shot at the second after opening with a bogey.
"I guess all good rounds start with a bogey," Donald said.
Donald's total of 20 putts set a one-round tournament record and was two strokes off the LPGA record on a layout known as being among the tour's toughest. Three of the five low-putt round of his career have come here.
Donald sank a 15-footer at the par-3 eighth and followed with birdie putts from 10, 25, 12, six and eight feet. After salvaging a par at 14 despite finding water left off the tee, he birdied from inches and 20 feet.
"You start putting well, you start believing in yourself a little bit," Donald said. "I think putting is very mental. Once you feel like you're a good putter, it becomes easier."
Winning the event hosted by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, whose 18 major titles remain the standard to beat, would be among the biggest moments in Donald's career.
"Behind the majors, this is up there as one of the best tournaments we play all year. It would mean a lot to play well here and have a chance to win," Donald said.
South African Thomas Aiken, Australian Jason Day and Americans Jim Furyk and Ted Purdy shared second on 67, one stroke ahead of the US trio of Stewart Cink, Mark Wilson and Steve Marino.
World number one Tiger Woods, in his final tuneup before defending his US Open title later this month, was in a group on 69 that also included Canadian Mike Weir, Aussie Rod Pampling and New Zealand's Reinier Saxton.
Woods is a three-time Memorial champion seeking his first title at Muirfield since 2001. He had five birdies at two bogeys but botched a chance to hit every fairway for only the fifth time as a pro, and first time since 2003, when he found a right bunker at 18 after his 3-wood tee shot bounced off a tree.
"I have seen it coming together for the last month or so. Unfortunately I would do it sporadically," Woods said of his swing. "Today I did it all day. Everything felt good. My swing felt good. My putting stroke felt good."
One year after limping to a US Open title, Woods might finally have his stroke back on form following knee surgery.
"The swing is starting come around. I'm starting to feel good now," Woods said. "It has been a long time. I'm starting to get my power back. Everything is starting to kind of come around now."
- AFP/yb
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