DULUTH, Ga., April 1 (UPI) -- Rookie Roger Tambellini overcame unseasonably cold temperatures Thursday to grab a share of the first-round lead at the BellSouth Classic.
Tambellini, a 29-year-old Californian who earned his PGA Tour card last fall at qualifying school, carded a 7-under-par 65 that was matched in the afternoon by two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal.
When Tambellini arrived at the TPC at Sugarloaf on Thursday, the temperature was in the 30s. It climbed to 41 when the tournament began at 8 a.m. EST.
"It's not something that I would have ever dreamed of doing this morning, waking up freezing to your bones," said Tambellini.
By the time Olazabal took the course, the temperature had climbed to 55.
Craig Bowden, another rookie, was alone in third after a 66, one stroke ahead of PGA Championship winner Shaun Micheel and Tim Petrovic.
Australian Adam Scott, who last week became the youngest winner of the Players Championship, and defending champion Ben Crane were among those at 66.
