DUBLIN, Ohio, June 3 (UPI) -- Ernie Els and Ben Curtis, the two most recent winners of the British Open, shared the lead Thursday after one round of The Memorial.
They each shot a 4-under 68 to grab a one-shot advantage over eight players -- a group that included Fred Couples, Lee Janzen and Paul Azinger.
Tiger Woods had to settle for an even-par 72 while leading money winner Vijay Singh had a 73.
A number of players saw their chance for at least a share of the top spot ruined by the difficult closing holes.
J.L. Lewis was 5-under coming to 18 and had a triple bogey. Stephen Ames was 5-under going to the final tee and he made a double bogey. Darren Fichardt was at 4-under with one hole remaining and he double bogeyed the 18th.
And John Rollins had the lead at 5-under late in the day before suffering a double bogey on the par-5 15th. He birdied the 17th to regain a share of the lead, but bogeyed the last to fall back.
