HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C., April 21 (UPI) -- Garrett Willis, whose lone PGA Tour victory came a decade ago, grabbed a one-shot lead Thursday after the opening round of the Heritage Classic.
Willis birdied six holes in a row at the Harbour Town Golf Links, beginning with the par-5 second. He went on to shoot a 7-under 64 that put him one stroke in front of Chad Campbell, Tim Herron, Arjun Atwal and Matt Bettencourt.
Willis made the cut just once in his six previous tournaments.
Among those two shots back at 66 was Mark Wilson, who has won twice on the circuit this season and is the tour's leading money winner. Luke Donald, who with a win this week would move from No. 3 to No. 1 in the world rankings, shot a 67 and was tied for ninth.
There was a 2-hour weather delay late in the afternoon and play was eventually halted by darkness with 18 players still on the course. None had a chance to catch Willis.
"I made putts today that I normally don't make," Willis said. "It's something I've struggled with my entire career. When I putt well, I play well."
Willis shared the lead after 36 holes at this year's tour stop in Tampa, Fla., then faded to a tie for 15th.
