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Sizzling Johnson sets Vegas pace with Turnesa

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-17 11:02

LOS ANGELES - American Zach Johnson, fresh from his victory at the Texas Open, charged into a tie for the lead in Thursday's opening round of the Las Vegas Open in Nevada.

Zach Johnson of the US hits his shot on the seventh tee during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township, Michigan August 5, 2008.  [Agencies]

The 2007 Masters champion made the most of ideal scoring conditions, firing a flawless 10-under-par 62 at the TPC Summerlin before being matched later by compatriot Marc Turnesa.

Johnson, who won his fourth PGA Tour title in San Antonio on Sunday, covered his last nine holes in a blistering six-under 30 to finish one ahead of Americans Michael Allen, Matt Kuchar, Ken Duke and local resident Nick Watney.

Australian rookie Nick Flanagan got to nine under before bogeying his final hole for a 64, level with US trio Kevin Na, Chez Reavie and John Mallinger.

Johnson, who held off a late challenge by Tiger Woods to win last year's Masters by two shots, was delighted to maintain his red-hot form in the Nevada desert.

"It's just the confidence," the 32-year-old told reporters. "Confidence that my fundamentals are going in the right direction and confidence that my execution has been good, especially down the stretch.

"But today's Thursday. Let's just take it at that. I've still got three more days of golf. Tomorrow I'm even par. That's my outlook.

KEEPING MOMENTUM

"I'm going to try to keep the momentum going because I think that's important, but you've got to forget about the last hole, the last day."

With hardly a breath of wind on the manicured desert layout, conditions were near-perfect for players competing in the fourth-last event on the 2008 PGA Tour.

"It kind of feels like you're playing in a dome," Johnson said after starting his second nine with five consecutive birdies. "You throw some grass (and) it might fall to your left foot instead of your right foot.

"It's pretty benign and the course is in great shape. If you get the ball on the correct side of the hole and you have some rhythm going, the greens are perfect -- so good scoring conditions."

Ryder Cup player Chad Campbell signed off with an eagle for a 65 to lie three strokes off the pace while fellow American George McNeill, the title-holder, opened with a 67.

Among the big names in the field, 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir, US Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger and former world number one David Duval returned 69s while twice major winner John Daly carded a 73.