Sweden's Carl Pettersson leads Honda Classic in Florida after finishing with a course-record, nine-under-par 63 at Palm Beach Gardens. Pettersson's previous best was 24th place in six US Tour starts so far in the current campaign, but the birdies just kept coming for him in the first round today.
He was especially pleased with his short game, noting: "I obviously made a lot of putts to shoot nine under. I've played better rounds tee to green. But obviously I made the putts - which is a huge difference."
Tour rookie Mark Hensby shot a 65 for second - one shot ahead of Steve Flesch, Jesper Parnevik and Rory Sabbatini.
Pettersson, who left Sweden when he was 10 and lived for five years in England, had just one top-10 finish as a rookie. But that was a special performance, to be runner-up to Tiger Woods at the Buick Invitational. He is accustomed to leading the field in big tournaments too, having been out in front in the 2002 Open championship in which he eventually finished 43rd.
Among those trailing in Pettersson's wake today were defending Classic champion Justin Leonard, who shot a 71 to be tied for 43rd.
Filed by Johnny Proby
