With the golf spotlight on the Match Play Championship in California, Billy Mayfair and Mario Tiziani fired first-round 63s on Thursday to share the lead at the US PGA Tour's three million-dollar Tucson stop.
Winless since the 1998 Los Angeles Open and Buick Open, Mayfair fired seven birdies and an eagle to grab a share of the lead.
Starting his round on the back nine, he eagled the par-five
10th, then strung together birdies on 13, 14 and 15 for a 31 on his first nine.
"I had things going my way. Making an eagle on 10, which was my first hole today, really got my round rolling," Mayfair said.
"I was real happy to just keep the momentum going all day."
Tiziani, 34, is looking for his first US PGA Tour victory. His
best finish to date is a tie for 32nd at the 2003 Greater Milwaukee Open.
Tiziani had 10 birdies, with only a bogey at the par-three 17th keeping him from the outright lead.
"I hit a lot of greens and gave myself a lot of chances,"
Tiziani said. "I think that's the key out here, just give yourself
opportunities."
The duo was one shot clear of a group of five at eight-under
64.
Mark Calcavecchia, Michael Allen, Lucas Glover, Steve Stricker and Darron Stiles are all tied for third after taking advantage of favourable scoring conditions at the Omni Tucson National Golf Resort.
Defending champion Heath Slocum carded a one-over 73 and had a lot of ground to make up if he wants to be the first repeat champion here since Phil Mickelson in 1995-1996.
