Maggert seeks rare PGA Tour win

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MEMPHIS, June 7 (UPI) -- Jeff Maggert, whose only PGA Tour win in the last 13 years came at this event, grabbed a share of the lead Thursday after one round of the St. Jude Classic.

Maggert and John Merrick both shot a 4-under 66 at the TPC-Southwind course while Rory McIlroy began to show signs of recovery as he prepares to defend his U.S. Open title next week.

Maggert, 48, has won three times on the tour but only one of those victories has come in this century. He captured the St. Jude Classic in 2006, but has had only six Top 10 finishes since then.

He had to make successful appearances in the PGA Qualifying Tournament at the end of the 2009 and 2011 seasons just to keep his playing privileges on the circuit and has missed the cut in eight of his last 11 appearances this year.

Maggert began his round on the back nine Thursday and birdied four of the first six holes. He had an eagle at the par-5 third before suffering two bogeys.

Those tied for third place at 67 included Arjun Atwal, Jeff Overton, J.J. Henry and Seung-Yul Noh.

McIlroy, ranked second in the world behind Luke Donald, missed the cut in each of his three previous tournaments. He shot a 68 Thursday, as did Padraig Harrington, Lee Janzen and Davis Love III.

Also at 68 was John Daly, who kept his round together despite making a double bogey at the par-3 11th.

This is only the fifth tournament of the year in the United States for Daly and he has survived the cut in three of the other four. His highest finish, however, has been a tie for 41st.