Austin, Texas, May 08: Ray Floyd shot a 5-under-par 67 Friday and was tied for the lead with Sam Torrance after the first round of the FedEx Kinko's Classic. Tom Watson, last year's runner-up, missed a 14-foot birdie putt at No. 18 and slipped into a tie for third place with Allen Doyle, Mark McNulty and Vincente Fernandez at 4-under 68.
Tournament co-host Tom Kite was one of six golfers tied for seventh after an opening 69.
The 61-year-old Floyd is seeking his first victory since 2000. He recorded two top-10 finishes last year after coming back from prostate surgery in December 2002.
``I like to compete,'' Floyd said. ``I like to be inside the ropes and in the locker room with these guys and I feel like I'm healthy again and free from my back problems.''
Floyd chipped in from 10 feet for birdie at No. 17, and two-putted from 35 feet for birdie at the 18th.
``My quality of life is higher because I still can compete and still can win, although I not looking for that to happen,'' Floyd said.
Torrance, the captain of Europe's Ryder Cup team in 2002 and a rookie on the Champions Tour, had his best round in eight events this season. The highlight of his round came at No. 3, when he holed a bunker shot from 20 yards for a birdie.
Kite, recently named to the World Golf Hall of Fame, punctuated his round before a supportive home crowd with birdies at Nos. 17 and 18.
Bureau Report