Jacobsen leads after first round

Despite recent surgery, he has the lead in U.S. Senior Open.

ST. LOUIS -- Peter Jacobsen wasn't sure he could even walk the entire course at the U.S. Senior Open, much less contend for the lead.

But Jacobsen, still rehabbing from arthroscopic hip surgery, made four birdies during a six-hole stretch on the back nine Thursday and shot a 6-under 65 to take the first-round lead.

"I'm happy I played 18 holes, and the fact that I played great and scored well is a huge bonus," Jacobsen said.

Craig Stadler had a bogey-free round and was second at 5 under. St. Louis area native Jay Haas birdied the final two holes to cap a 67.

Seven players shot 68s, including Gil Morgan, the leading money-winner on the Champions Tour. Tom Kite was among a group of 10 at 69. All told, 25 players were under par and another 13 were at even par.

Jacobsen, at 50 a Champions Tour rookie, had to withdraw from his past two events because of continuing pain from the hip surgery in April. Weeks on crutches caused his leg muscles to atrophy.

"Hitting the ball is no problem," Jacobsen said. "Walking 18 holes is the difficult part for me."

And it's a long walk. Bellerive Country Club, at 7,117 yards, is the longest course in the 25-year history of the Senior Open. Still, scores were low in favorable conditions, with little or no breeze, overcast skies and unseasonably cool temperatures for late July in St. Louis.

"The greens are so soft right now you can fly everything right at the hole," Stadler said.

Singh leads Buick OpenVijay Singh shot a 9-under 63 Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Buick Open, with Tiger Woods lurking four shots behind.

Singh, one shot ahead of Olin Browne and two in front of Mike Grob, fell two strokes short of the tournament record.

Defending champion Jim Furyk shot a 66, and was tied for fourth with four others.

Singh went back to a standard putter, after using a long one for 2 1/2 years, and the change seemed to work.

The 1997 Buick Open champion had eight straight 3s -- five birdies, an eagle and two pars -- between Nos. 8-15 at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc, Mich.

Browne's 64 matched his low round of the year. He tied for fourth last week at the Greater Milwaukee Open.

--From wire reports