Mark Calcavecchia rolled in five straight birdies on the back nine in shooting a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Paul Stankowski after the first round of the Greater Greensboro Classic. Calcavecchia had three 'miraculous' pars before making birdies from the 12th to the 17th in his round at Forest Oaks Country Club after recovering from a foot injury.
11 putts over his last 11 holes put the American firmly in control, while Stankowski is a stroke back after shooting a 66, which included just four pars. He had four bogeys and ten birdies - four straight to start the back nine.
Defending champion Scott Hoch withdrew before the start of the round because of complications from laser eye surgery. Robert Gamez, Chad Campbell, Lee Porter and Jim Gallagher Jr are tied for third after carding 67s. The world's elite are skipping the event, leaving number 17 Rocco Mediate as the highest-ranked player in the field.
Mediate is one of six players tied for seventh at 68.
Filed by Shane Murray
