Memphis (Tennessee), June 27: Jay Haas fired seven consecutive birdies, one shy of matching the US PGA tour record run, on his way to a seven-under par 64 here yesterday and a share of the St. Jude classic lead. Haas, on the verge of joining the over-50 circuit, was equaled at 64 by PGA rookie Darron Stiles, whose bogey-free round included an eagle and five birdies. Two thunderstorm delays led to darkness halting play with 56 golfers still on the course and set to complete their rounds friday morning. Robert Damron shot a 65, a stroke better than David Gossett, Stan Utley and Dennis Paulsen. David peoples was six-under after 16 holes, while Len Mattiace is five-under with the 18th still to play. Haas, 49, opened with a bogey and then began his birdie binge. He birdied two par-5s, two par-3s and made two other par-4s before settling for par 4 at the ninth.

"This was a little different, I guess", Haas said. "I had never made seven birdies in a row. Six was my best".

Five PGA players have made eight in a row, most recently J.P. Hayes at the 2002 Bob Hope classic. Others include Britain's Edward Fryatt in 2000 and Americans Dewey Arnette in 1987, Fuzzy Zoeller in 1976 and Bob Goalby in 1961.

Only Zoeller and Goalby, Haas' uncle, went on to win the tournament in which they made history.

Bureau Report