Charles Howell III fired a 10-under-par 61 to set a tournament record in the opening round of the Booz Allen Classic at Potomac in Maryland overnight. Howell had two eagles and four birdies in his final eight holes at the Tournament Players Club at Avenel.
Howell began play on the back nine and made the turn at two under. But, after he parred the first hole, Howell eagled the par-five 11th, parred the 12th and birdied the 13th and 14th. He then eagled the par-five 15th and followed that with a pair of birdies.
Rich Beem and Olin Browne each shot seven-under 64s to finished tied for second place. Beem birdied six holes on the front nine and recorded his only bogey on 18. Beem, winner of this event in 1999 when it was known as the Kemper Open, has finished no better than 33rd in any of his 15 PGA Tour events this year and missed the cut nine times.
Jeff Sluman carded a 65 to end the day in fourth place as warm temperatures and virtually no wind produced low scores with 95 players at even par or better.
Filed by Mark O'Neill-Cummins
