Nick O'Hern leads on PGA Tour

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Nick O'Hern rode a hot putter to a 7-under 63 Thursday that put him a shot in front after one round of the Frys.com Open at Scottsdale, Ariz.

O'Hern needed only 24 putts for his round at the Grayhawk Golf Club course and at one point one-putted 10 straight greens. He hit a 214-yard approach to within four feet at the 18th hole for a closing birdie.

Bob Heintz and Heath Slocum, who won the first of the PGA Tour's four playoff tournaments this year, both shot 64. Tied for fourth at 65 were Rory Sabbatini, D.A. Points, Greg Owen and Rickie Fowler.

"The putter just felt really good today, which it hasn't been in quite a while," said O'Hern, who had surgery on his left thumb and right knee at the end of last year.

O'Hern has yet to win on the tour, but he twice has defeated Tiger Woods at the World Match Play Championship.

"I'm really looking for that first win here," O'Hern said. "If I keep hitting the ball as well as I am at the moment, I'm going to give myself lots of looks at birdies, and that's the key."

There were 68 players under par after the first round in the 132-man field. Justin Leonard and Mike Weir were in the large group at 66 and last week's winner Martin Laird had a 67.