Chicago, Sept 12: American J L Lewis fired a six-under-par 65 for a share of the clubhouse lead with Jonathan Byrd in the unfinished first-round lead at the 3.5 million dollar PGA event.
Vijay Singh and Chris Riley were tied for third at 66. Eight players are logjammed at 67 and six more players trail by three shots.
In a weird turn of events, Scott Laycock of Australia did not putt out on his final hole, the par-4, 485 yard ninth.
Laycock was three-over after 17 holes and was near finishing when the 32-year-old native of Brisbane exercised his right not to make a stroke in darkness yesterday.

Most low scores were posted in the morning before stronger afternoon winds began to gust, pushing the afternoon scores higher.



Lewis won this tournament in 1999 for his first PGA tour victory. He was flawless yesterday, carding six birdies and no bogeys.



"I struck the ball well," Lewis said. "I think I hit every fairway except the last one and every green except one or two."



Lewis has been up and down this season, making 13 cuts and missing 11. He has earned 928,421 dollars despite no finishes higher than tied for fifth at the HP Classic and the FBR Capital Open.



"I think I've got six tournaments left to play this year," said Lewis.


Bureau Report