Leonard, Goydos share lead at Texas Open

Paul Goydos made eight birdies before his final drive sailed into a fairway bunker, blemishing what was almost an unmatched start in the Texas Open.

"I mean, you can't have everything good happen for every moment of your life," Goydos said.

Goydos, who publicly opened up this month about the death of his ex-wife in January and raising his two teenage daughters, shot a 7-under 63 on Thursday at La Cantera Golf Club in San Antonio for a share of the first-round lead with Justin Leonard. It's the first time since 1999 that Goydos has opened a tournament with at least a share of the lead.

Teeing off early in the morning, the 44-year-old Goydos had the lead for most of the day until Leonard birdied three of his last four holes in the afternoon. Leonard is pursuing a record fourth Texas Open championship, and hasn't been tied for first this early at La Cantera since his first win in 2000.

"When you tee off and you're seven shots back, I felt the need that I've got to make birdies because I don't want to have this huge deficit after one round," Leonard said. "I was able to get off to a great start. From then, being able to stay patient and give myself opportunities, I did a good job of that today."

Goydos shot a 29 on the front nine, a stroke shy of a personal tour best through nine holes. Leonard's 63 was his best round in 11 tournaments here.

Jeff Maggert, Marc Leishman and Ted Purdy opened with 64s, and Englishmen Brian Davis and Greg Owen shot 65s.

Major winners David Duval, Lee Janzen and Corey Pavin were three strokes back. Duval's 66 was his best round since January 2007.

LPGA Tour

Helen Alfredsson jump-started a career-best, 10-under 62 by holing out for eagle from 68 yards on her second hole, and took a two-stroke lead over Brittany Lincicome after the first round of the Sybase Classic in Clifton, N.J.

Three-time defending champion Lorena Ochoa opened with a 71.

The 44-year-old Alfredsson had the eagle, nine birdies and a bogey at Upper Montclair Country Club.

-- The Associated Press