Golf-Americans Janzen and Stiles set pace at Deere Run (Reuters)
July 10, 2009
* Janzen bids for first win since 1998 U.S. Open
* Late birdie earns Stiles share of lead
(Adds Janzen quotes, detail)
CHICAGO, July 9 (Reuters) – Double U.S. Open champion LeeJanzen, hunting his first PGA Tour victory in more than adecade, charged into a share of the lead in Thursday’s openinground of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.
The 44-year-old American took advantage of rain-softenedconditions at the TPC Deere Run, firing a seven-under-par 64 toset the early pace.
Janzen, who has not triumphed since clinching his secondU.S. Open title in 1998 at San Francisco’s Olympic Club, piledup eight birdies before ending his round with a bogey at thelast where he found a greenside bunker with his approach.
He was then caught late in the day by compatriot DarronStiles who recovered from a bogey on 17 by sinking a seven-footbirdie putt on the 18th green for a matching 64.
“I showed up expecting to hit it good, and then my warm-upsession was really good,” Janzen told reporters after reelingoff five birdies on the back nine.
“My iron game has been the best part of my game over thelast 20 years, so that’s usually not the part I worry about. Ichipped in twice today and if I’m hitting a lot of greens andchip in a couple times when I miss it, that’s a great combo.”
An eight-times winner on the PGA Tour, Janzen said he hadcompletely overhauled his swing over the last three years afterstruggling for form and confidence.
“My game was definitely not very good for a while, so Iwould say that I had about as little bit of confidence as youcould have and still play,” he added.
SEEING RESULTS
“I knew I was doing better on the range and practicerounds, but still, the confidence wasn’t there. I had to seeresults in a tournament.
“I would love to win. If it doesn’t happen this week, Istill think that I’m capable of winning, and it won’t stop mefrom continuing to work on my game to get better and put myselfin position.”
Americans J.J. Henry, Dean Wilson and PGA Tour rookie MattBettencourt opened with 65s while Australian Jason Day wasamong a group of four on 66.
Henry, whose only PGA Tour victory came at the 2006 BuickChampionship, was impressed by the playing conditions followingWednesday’s heavy rain.
“With the rain last night, I couldn’t really believe howgreat a shape the golf course was in this morning,” he toldreporters after carding six birdies in a flawless display.
“We got out and there was very little standing water, mudballs or anything like that.”
Tour veteran Kenny Perry, who won last year’s title atDeere Run in a three-way playoff, opened with a 68 while formerworld number one David Duval battled to a 75.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles, editing byGreg Stutchbury. To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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