HUMBLE, Texas, April 3 (UPI) -- Defending champion Adam Scott battled through a case of strep throat Thursday to grab a share of the lead in the opening round of the Houston Open.
Scott and Johnson Wagner both shot a 9-under 63, breaking the Redstone Golf Club's Tournament Course single-round record. Wagner and Bubba Watson set the mark last year with 64.
Scott said he came close to withdrawing.
"But I just don't like withdrawing from tournaments," he said. "I've only done it once, I believe, in my career, and I was pretty bad that day. I wanted to at least get out there and see how I was going. It's a good way to start."
Wagner played the last five holes in 5-under to grab a share of the lead.
"It was more than I expected," Wagner said. "You can never wake up and say I'm going to shoot 9-under."
Charley Hoffman was alone in third at 65 and Steve Stricker, ranked fourth in the world, shot a 66.
Those at 67 included Geoff Ogilvy, Steve Elkington, Dean Wilson and Briny Baird. Ogilvy captured the CA Championship two weeks ago, handing Tiger Woods his first loss of the year.
