CROMWELL, Conn., Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Ben Curtis and J.L. Lewis each shot 6-under 64 Thursday to share the lead after the first round of the Buick Championship at Cromwell, Conn.
Michael Putnam, making his professional debut this week, shot 5-under 65 and is tied for third with Vaughn Taylor, Justin Rose, Franklin Langham and Kevin Sutherland.
Curtis, the 2003 British Open winner, is playing in this event for the first time since he won the British.
Former U.S. Open champion Corey Pavin, Hidemichi Tanaka, Chris Smith and Joe Durant are tied for eighth at 4-under 66.
Defending champion Woody Austin, who won in a playoff last year, opened with a 1-under-par 69 and is tied for 42nd place with 13 others, including Billy Mayfair, Brad Faxon, Lee Janzen and Robert Gamez.
