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Nitties, Duke share early lead

Source: Agencies | May 23, 2009, Saturday | Print Edition

FUN-LOVING US PGA Tour rookie James Nitties finished with four consecutive birdies for a 5-under 65 and a share of the first-round lead with Ken Duke in the HP Byron Nelson Championship on Thursday.

Nitties on his tour bio lists his special interests as clubbing, girls and movies, but the 26-year-old Australian said he's trying to stay focused on a string of tournaments which could culminate with a spot in the US Open.

"It's not easy, but I just made an executive decision where I have to play well over the next five weeks," Nitties said.

"It's not just fun and games out here."

Duke, the other surprise at the top of the leaderboard, snapped a streak of 11 consecutive rounds in the 70s to share the first-round lead for only the second time in his 118 career starts.

His putt at No. 18 stopped 3 inches from the hole, or he could have had another birdie and the lead alone.

"You think you should do better than you're doing, and then you press the issues and don't just let it come to you," Duke said.

"I guess that's kind of what I've done."

Mike Weir, Scott McCarron, Charles Howell III and Brad Adamonis shot 66s, and Jesper Parnevik and Tommy Armour III were among a group of a dozen players with 67s.

Vijay Singh, the world No. 9 player and highest-ranked after Phil Mickelson's withdrawal, shot 70. Defending champion Adam Scott started with consecutive bogeys and went on to a 71.

Nitties was 1-under through 14 holes. After seeing the scores, he thought he'd be in decent shape with one more birdie.

"The scores, they weren't that good, so it didn't put any pressure on me to do anything crazy," Nitties said. "I was thinking 2 under, I'll be happy with. It's just a solid day."

In Virginia Water, England, tour rookie David Horsey, Anthony Wall and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano shot 5-under 67s to share the lead in the PGA Championship on Thursday after some big names faltered early in the first round.

Both Englishmen birdied four holes on the back nine, while Fernandez-Castano finished birdie-eagle.

Fourth-ranked Henrik Stenson, winner of the prestigious Players Championship at Sawgrass early this month, shot a 6-over 78.
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