Cromwell, July 25: While Suzy Whaley made her PGA Tour debut, it was Jay Haas and Peter Jacobsen who carded 7-under 63's to co-lead after the first round of the Greater Hartford Open in Cromwell, Connecticut. Veterans Jay Haas and Peter Jacobsen grabbed a share of the lead at the Greater Hartford Open Thursday after firing seven-under-par 63s as Suzy Whaley overcame a shaky start to finish well. Teaching professional Whaley, the second woman to play against the men in 58 years, settled after a double-bogey start and birdied the 18th hole to card a respectable 75. The 36-year-old mother of two qualified to play in this tournament by winning a PGA sectional competition and ended the opening round ahead of 13 of her competitors, including a pair of former major champions. The 1988 U.S. Open winner Scott Simpson shot a 77, while David Duval -- British Open champion two years ago -- continued his run of poor play by recording an 83, the worst score in the field.


World number one Annika Sorenstam also played on the PGA Tour in May after accepting an exemption to compete in the Colonial. The Swede fired 71 and 74 but missed the cut.


Both 49-years-old, Haas and Jacobson are one shot ahead of Dennis Paulson, who was one of the few afternoon starters to score well with a six-under-par 64 for sole possession of third place.


Craig Barlow is fourth after going round in 65. World number eight Kenny Perry, who has three victories in his last five starts, is among a group of six players tied for fifth on four-under 66.


Perry is joined by South Korea's K.J. Choi, Willie Wood, Todd Fischer, J.J. Henry and Jonathan Kaye.


Twice defending champion Phil Mickelson, the world number 10, carded a 67 and is one of 14 players tied for 11th.

Bureau Report