Stewart Leads With ‘Smart Round’

Payne Stewart shot a seven-under-par 64 on Thursday to take the first-round lead in the Greater Vancouver Open in Surrey, Canada.

“I thought it was a very smart round,” Stewart said. “When I didn’t drive in the fairway, I knew enough to play away from some of the pins and at least give myself a chance.”

Stewart had a two-stroke lead over John Maginnes. Guy Boros, who won the inaugural GVO in 1996, topped a 13-player group at 67.

Chip Beck, a four-time PGA Tour winner and one of only two players to shoot a 59 in a tour event, opened with a 74, putting himself in danger of failing to complete his 46th straight tournament.

He has missed 43 consecutive cuts, and withdrew from two events.

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Phil Mickelson continued his mastery of Firestone Country Club with four birdies on the back nine for a four-under 66 and a one-stroke lead over Tiger Woods and Craig Parry after the opening round of the NEC World Series of Golf in Akron, Ohio.

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Defending champion Matt Kuchar won both of his U.S. Amateur match-play duels, 6 and 5, setting up a quarterfinal showdown with British Amateur winner Sergio Garcia of Spain in the tournament at Rochester, N.Y.

Kuchar’s teammate at Georgia Tech, Bryce Molder, piled on three birdies on the back nine to oust Andy Miller, son of 1973 U.S. Open champion Johnny Miller, 4 and 3.

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In Front

Results through Thursday’s play (Complete scores, C14):

NEC WORLD SERIES OF GOLF--Par 70

Phil Mickelson: 34-32--66 -4

Craig Parry: 36-31--67 -3

Tiger Woods: 33-34--67 -3