GOLF: American journeyman Olin Browne upstaged some of the game's best players by taking a one-shot lead in the Mercedes Championships first round.
The 46-year-old, who qualified for the PGA Tour's season-opening event by winning last year's Deutsche Bank Championship, reeled off five birdies in nine holes on his way to a four-under-par 69 at the Kapalua Resort.
On a day of tugging breezes, swirling clouds and bright sunshine, Browne picked up shots at the fifth, seventh, eighth, 10th and 13th to set the pace in the tournament that assembles the winners from the previous PGA Tour season.
Although he slipped back with a bogey at the 555-yard 15th, the Florida resident parred the last three holes to stay in front of a chasing pack headed by world number two Vijay Singh.
The tall Fijian, the only member of the world's top five playing in this week's elite field of 28 at the Plantation Course, birdied two of the last four holes for a 70.
Defending champion Stuart Appleby of Australia, chasing a record-equalling third victory in a row at Kapalua, carded a 71 to share third place with Sergio Garcia, 2001 US PGA champion David Toms and Sweden's Carl Pettersson.
"I came out here with my family a couple of weeks ago and have kind of eased into the whole Hawaiian thing," a smiling Browne said. "I'm feeling pretty good right now. I think everyone who comes here understands what a great tournament this is and I certainly appreciate it tremendously.
"I would like to play well enough to be invited back, and there's only one way to get back," added Browne, who ended a PGA Tour victory drought of more than six years by winning in Boston last October.
Singh, who faded to fifth at last year's Mercedes Championships after leading for the first three days, was happy to rally after a stuttering start.
"I didn't play badly at all," said the former world number one. "I just missed one or two putts earlier on, which kind of rattled me."
Spaniard Garcia was also in buoyant mood. "First round of the year, it's always nice to get it under par," said the world number six, who believes this season could be his best at the top level if he can find better form with the putter.
"It wasn't easy out there. I made a shaky start then started playing a bit more consistent. Plus I made a couple of nice putts. I'm pretty happy about it overall."
New Zealand's Michael Campbell, winner of last year's US Open at Pinehurst, recovered from two over par with five holes to play to card a 72 and share seventh place with former major winners Jim Furyk and Justin Leonard.
However, it was not a day to remember for Brad Faxon. The 44-year-old American, widely regarded as one of the best putters in the game, struggled to a nine-over-par 82 in his first competitive round since having knee surgery last September.
Notable absentees this week include twice champion and world number one Tiger Woods, US PGA champion Phil Mickelson and three-times major winner Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington.
FIRST ROUND SCORES (US unless stated, par 73): 69 - Olin Browne 70 - Vijay Singh (Fij) 71 - David Toms, Sergio Garcia (Spn), Stuart Appleby (Aus), Carl Pettersson (Swe) 72 - Justin Leonard, Michael Campbell (Nzl), Jim Furyk 73 - Ted Purdy, Wes Short jr, Mark Calcavecchia 74 - Kenny Perry, Tim Petrovic, Heath Slocum, Vaughn Taylor, Lucas Glover, Peter Lonard (Aus), Bart Bryant 75 - Geoff Ogilvy (Aus), KJ Choi (Kor) 76 - Jason Bohn, Fred Funk 77 - Robert Gamez, Sean O'Hair 79 - Ben Crane 80 - Jason Gore 82 - Brad Faxon.
