MONTREAL — Tim Petrovic and Michael Putnam shared the first-round lead in the Canadian Open on Thursday, shooting 6-under 64 in sunny, breezy afternoon conditions at rain-softened Royal Montreal. ADVERTISING MONTREAL — Tim Petrovic and Michael Putnam shared the first-round
MONTREAL — Tim Petrovic and Michael Putnam shared the first-round lead in the Canadian Open on Thursday, shooting 6-under 64 in sunny, breezy afternoon conditions at rain-softened Royal Montreal.
The 47-year-old Petrovic was the last player to get in the field, grabbing a spot when Benjamin Alvarado withdrew Tuesday. Petrovic eagled the par-5 12th hole and had four birdies in his bogey-free round. He won his lone PGA Tour title in New Orleans in 2005.
The 31-year-old Putnam had six birdies in a bogey-free round, hitting 11 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens in regulation. Winless on the PGA Tour, Putnam won twice on the Web.com Tour last year and topped the regular-season money list.
Canadian amateur Taylor Pendrith and Kyle Stanley were a stroke back, and former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, Nick Watney and Robert Allenby topped the group at 66. The 23-year-old Pendrith, making his first PGA Tour start, is coming off his senior season at Kent State.
International Crown
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Yani Tseng made a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to give Taiwan a sweep of the top-seeded United States in the opening round of the International Crown.
Tseng and Phoebe Yao never trailed in a 1-up win over Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson. Earlier, Candie Kung and Teresa Lu beat Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr 4 and 3.
Each team receives two points for a win and one for a tie. After two more rounds of better-ball pool play, the top two in each pool and the winner of a playoff between the third-place teams will play singles Sunday.
On Friday, the United States (0 points) will face Spain (3) in Pool A, and Taiwan (4) will take on Thailand (1). In Pool B, Japan (3) will face South Korea (2), and Australia (2) will play Sweden (1).
Japan took the lead in Pool B with a strong performance against Sweden. Ai Miyazato and Sakura Yokomine beat Pernilla Lindberg and Mikaela Parmlid 2 up, and Mamilo Higa and Mika Miyazato halved with Caroline Hedwall and Anna Nordqvist.
Senior British Open
BRIDGEND, Wales — Bernhard Langer shot a 6-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead over American Bob Tway in the Senior British Open at sweltering Royal Porthcawl.
Langer, who threw away a two-stroke lead on the final hole at Royal Birkdale last year and lost to Mark Wiebe in a playoff, won the 2010 tournament at Carnoustie.
England’s Chris Williams was third at 68.
Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, seeking his third straight senior major title, shot 74. Tom Watson also had a 74, and Wiebe shot 76.
By wire sources
