PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., March 4 (UPI) -- Nathan Green, who won his first PGA Tour event last year at the Canadian Open, shared the lead Thursday after one round of the Honda Classic.
Green and Michael Connell both shot a 5-under 65 at the PGA National Resort & Spa's Champion Course.
Camilo Villegas, Oliver Wilson and Monday-qualifier Alex Rocha were tied for third at 66.
Vijay Singh, who struggled through a disappointing 2009 season, was among those at 67.
Green was paired with Singh and Padraig Harrington for the opening 18 holes and he turned in one of the few bogey-free rounds posted Thursday.
"I was sort of pretty nervous going into today," Green said. "Playing with Padraig (Harrington) and Vijay and my confidence is not at an all-time high. But I didn't really make any huge mistakes and when I missed greens, I was chipping it pretty close."
Connell regained his full playing status on the tour by going through the qualifying tournament last December. His only other season on the circuit was in 2006 and he has never had a Top 10 finish.
Lee Westwood, who at No. 4 is the highest-ranked player in the field, shot a 69. So did current Masters champion Angel Cabrera.
Defending champion Y.E. Yang stumbled to a 79.
