Lonard fires 62 to take lead at MCI Heritage

Peter Lonard shot a 9-under 62 and finished with a two-stroke lead after Thursday's opening round of the MCI Heritage at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Lonard was two strokes ahead of Thomas Levet, who birdied six of his last eight holes to shoot a 64. Darren Clarke was at 65 with Patrick Sheehan another stroke back.

Lonard, a 37-year-old Australian in his fourth season on tour, opened with a bogey, but then made 11 birdies over the next 15 holes to take the lead and briefly flirt with a 59. He made par on 17 and bogeyed 18.

It was some welcome flash for a tournament in need of excitement without Woods, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson. Defending champion Stewart Cink, at No. 11 in the world, is the highest ranked player in the field.

Takefuji Classic

Karrie Webb shot a 7-under 65 for a share of the lead with Wendy Ward at the Takefuji Classic in Las Vegas.

Amateur In-Bee Park, a native of South Korea who is a 16-year-old high school junior in Las Vegas, shot a 66 that left her in a group one shot behind the co-leaders.

Wendy Doolan had consecutive eagles on her way to a 66. Catriona Matthew and Mi Hyun Kim also are a shot back.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr opened with a 72.

Spanish Open

Spaniards Jose Rivero, Santiago Luna and Diego Borrego were among seven players to shoot 2-under 70 and share the first-round lead at the Spanish Open in Sotogrande, Spain.

Also in front on the hilly San Roque course were Peter Hanson and Peter Gustafsson of Sweden, Emanuele Canonica of Italy and Steven O'Hara of Scotland.

Another six players were one shot off the lead.

Ireland's Paul McGinley, the highest-ranked player in the field, shot a 76 after a double-bogey 7 on his first hole.