Morgan blows his chance to lead

Little-known Englishman John Morgan wrecked his chance to share the lead after the first round of the BellSouth Classic when he double-bogeyed his last hole, the ninth.

Morgan carded a 69, but had tied Chris DiMarco at the head of the field before the late slip-up.

The 25-year-old Morgan, son of a Bristol docker, turned professional exactly two years ago this month and after earning his 2003 European Tour Card became the first rookie to earn cards on both the PGA and European Tours in the same season.

Morgan had the advantage of starting his round on the back nine, where scoring appeared to be easier and where Retief Goosen rattled off four birdies to set the early pace, and he matched the South African’s par four at the 608-yard 10th, which is all downhill.

However, he went one better on the 189-yard 11th, considered the most treacherous par three on the course as the drive is entirely over water, as a birdie there put him two shots off the lead after only two holes.

But Morgan’s dream start rolled on as an eagle two on the 310-yard 13th rocketed him into a tie of the lead, which he maintained over the next four holes with par golf until a birdie at the 18th saw him complete the first nine holes in just 31.

DiMarco leads following a five-under-par 67 at TPC Sugerloaf.

He had six birdies and a bogey, using the claw putting grip that helped revitalise his career some nine years ago. He has been one of the best putters on tour ever since, ranking 10th entering this week.

“I feel like I’m right up there with the best putters in the world, and it’s nice,” he said. “I think a lot of the reason is because I’m not trying a new style. I putt the way I putt.”

The way he putts came in handy at Sugarloaf, which has been compared to Augusta National – the venue for next week’s US Masters – for its hard, fast greens that normally allow the cream to rise to the top.

“Yeah, it sure does,” said DiMarco, who is ranked 12th in the world. “The faster, the better for me.”

While there were a number of surprise names on the leaderboard, defending champion Goosen headed a group of six tied for second at four-under 68. The South African also thinks the course separates the men from the boys.

“There won’t be anybody running away with it,” said Goosen, who is seventh in the world rankings. “It keeps the field bunched up, and the better players go to the top.”

Like Goosen, Billy Andrade, Bob Burns, rookie Aaron Barber and journeyman Brad Lardon signed for early 68s. Fred Couples, Mark Calcavecchia, Lee Janzen and Paul Azinger were among a group of seven players to shoot 69.

Only 35 of the 137 players to tee off broke par.

Phil Mickelson was not among them. The world’s fourth-ranked golfer settled for a 73.