Jesper Parnevik of Sweden picked the world's richest tournament to try a new swing and it worked for one day at least, earning him a share of the first round lead at the $4 million Tour Championship in Houston yesterday. British Open runner-up Parnevik garnered five birdies to join Americans David Duval and Jim Furyk at five-under-par 66 in benign conditions on the Champions course.
They were one stroke ahead of American Brad Faxon in the season-ending event, restricted to the leading 30 money-winners on the PGA Tour this year.
Tiger Woods, who heads the money list, had just one bogey in a two-under 69 on a day when the elite field averaged 69.9 strokes.
Parnevik, after struggling in practice rounds, thought he had little alternative but to try a different swing.
"I tried probably my fifth swing this week. It worked today. I hit the ball very well," said the free spirit who helped Europe retain the Ryder Cup last month.
"Sometimes you have weeks where you have the same swing, same feel, but usually that disappears very quickly. That's the toughest thing about this game. You're happy if you fire balls on the range and it's still there from the previous day."
Parnevik two-putted all three of the par-fives, the easiest holes on the course, for three of his birdies, and made just one putt of any considerable distance. He missed only one green in regulation.
Joint leader Furyk, on the other hand, made a 30-footer at the first hole and sank several other lengthy putts as well.
Duval also made his share of putts in his quest to win his third tournament in a row. He secured a long-overdue maiden tour victory in a play-off at the Michelob Championship three weeks ago, then won another play-off at the following week's Walt Disney World Classic.
"Early on in the week when I got here, I wasn't hitting it quite as well as the previous three weeks," Duval said. "It seems to have gotten a little better everyday. I feel I'm striking the ball a little better than I did at Disney."
The worst score of the day was posted by Jeff Maggert, whose seven-over 78 was five shots more than anyone else. He said, however, he was feeling poorly due to severe allergies and a respiratory infection.
