PHILIP WALTON and David Feherty both made solid starts in the $1.5 million Byron Nelson Classic in Irving, Texas yesterday. Walton shot a round of 71, one over par, and Feherty was five strokes off the pace with a 69.

The leader is Mark Brooks, who continued where he left off in last week's Houston Open, which he won in a play off. Brooks birdied five of the first eight holes, including three of the first four, in a round of 64.

"I got off to a good start. The first 10 holes, I played well," he said. "I had my share of putts, but I also had tap ins. Confidence is a big part of all sports. If you are making putts, you have confidence.

Everyone in the field plays one round each at the TPC and Cottonwood Valley before everyone who makes the cut completes the final two rounds at the TPC.