SILVIS, Illinois — Rejuvenated by improved form with his driver, Zach Johnson made a strong start to his title defense at the John Deere Classic as he surged into a share of the lead in Thursday's opening round. The 37-year-old American piled up seven birdies in a flawless display for a sizzling seven-under-par 64 at the TPC Deere Run, finishing joint top with Colombia's Camilo Villegas. Burly Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge was a further stroke back, mixing four birdies with an eagle at the par-five 10th to end the round level with Americans Matt Bettencourt and Daniel Summerhays. Most eyes, however, will be firmly focused on Johnson who triumphed here last year with a birdie on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to edge out compatriot Troy Matteson. Johnson has now posted sub-70 scores in his last 17 competitive rounds on the par-71 layout. One player who had a grandstand view of Johnson Thursday was three-times former champion Steve Stricker, who was paired with his fellow American in a high-profile grouping which also included Davis Love III. Stricker began with an opening 67. South African world number 10 Louis Oosthuizen made a roller-coaster start, mixing five birdies with a bogey, a double and a triple for a one-over 72. Els struggles Ernie Els will likely head into his British Open title defense on the back of a missed cut after another frustrating round at the Scottish Open left him 10 shots off early second-round leader Chris Doak Friday. Els shot a 2-under 70 to follow his level-par first round. The last Scot to win his home event was Colin Montgomerie in 1999 — but Doak has a chance to end that barren run after shooting a second straight 66 to move to 12-under. Peter Uihlein is a shot adrift in second place after recovering from an early double bogey to shoot a 66. Overnight leader John Parry (8-under) was among the afternoon starters, along with eighth-ranked Phil Mickelson (6-under). Matthew, Stanford share lead Angela Stanford birdied her last three holes to join Catriona Matthew atop the leaderboard on eight-under par 63 Thursday after the first round of the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic. World No. 1 Park In-Bee led a chasing group of five players on six-under, that included fellow South Koreans Park Hee-Young and Meena Lee, Spain's Belen Mozo and American Irene Cho. Matthew teed off at the par-four 11th. After a bogey at the 12th she gradually gained steam, with five of her birdies coming in her last six holes. Seven tie for lead Tom Lehman chipped in from 45 feet on the 18th hole Thursday to join six others at 3-under 67 and a share of the first round lead at the Omaha Country Club. There had never been as many as seven co-leaders after the opening round of the event. The previous record was five in 1997. Kenny Perry shot a 67 in the morning, putting together a solid start in his bid for a second straight win in a senior major. Michael Allen and Jay Don Blake also were 3-under after their morning rounds, and Gary Hallberg, Mark O'Meara, Fred Funk and Lehman came in with the same score in the afternoon. — Agencies
