Masters champion Zach Johnson says he came to the Verizon Heritage at Hilton Head Island, S.C. to win. Johnson's tired play Thursday showed otherwise.
After three days of celebrity meetings and TV guest appearances, the weary Johnson shot an up-and-down 70 at Harbour Town Golf Links. He was seven shots behind Jerry Kelly, the first-round leader at 8-under 63. Ernie Els was second at 65.
Still, Johnson's smile rarely left during his morning round, even as made two bogeys and a four-putt double bogey. Crowds applauded his every move, and Johnson gratefully acknowledged the praise.
LPGA Tour
Lorena Ochoa shot a 6-under 66 in the opening round of the Ginn Open in Reunion, Fla., tying Laura Davies for the lead and moving a step closer to supplanting the injured Annika Sorenstam atop the rankings.
Sorenstam, who withdrew Thursday, will be sidelined at least a month because of a ruptured disk in her back. It marked the first significant injury in her 13-year career that includes 69 LPGA Tour victories.
Brittany Lincicome, in the same group as Ochoa, was a stroke behind at 5 under.
-- The Associated Press
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