Former Masters champion takes share of lead at TPC Summerlin

Associated Press

Zach Johnson drives on the eighth tee during the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008. Johnson shot a 10-under-par 62 to share the lead after the first day.

By Steve Silver (contact)

Friday, Oct. 17, 2008 | 4 a.m.

The Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin all but bored co-leader Zach Johnson to sleep on Thursday.

Despite shooting a bogey-free 10-under 62 in his first round, the 2007 Masters champion failed to squeak out any signs of excitement.

"All in and all it was a pretty boring round," Johnson said.

Johnson's ho-hum day started out with five consecutive birdies en route to a 6-under front nine. He then birdied four holes on the back nine holes, including the monstrous 560-yard par-5 No. 16 to pick up just the second first round lead of his PGA career

Yawn.

Less than one week removed from banking $810,000 for winning the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio, Johnson rolled into Summerlin nailing 94 percent of green in regulation. Thursday he needed to hit only 26 putts – nearly four strokes less than the 132-player field average.

Pillow please.

"I feel boring golf is one where you hit the ball on the fairway, hit the ball on the green, and give yourself a chance at birdie," said Johnson, who has raked in more than $1.5 million in prize money this year. "So it was boring as far as that goes. I hit a lot of fairways… So it's just one of those where I picked my target out and swung at it and it was pretty close."

But Johnson cannot afford to hit the snooze button just yet.

Marc Turnesa, a 2002 North Carolina State University graduate, led the afternoon group with a 10-under, 62 as well.

The 30-year-old Rockville Centre, New York native sank 10 birdie putts and averaged 301 yards off the tee en route to tying Johnson.

After spending the beginning of the year on the Nationwide Tour, Turnesa rides a wave of confidence into Summerlin following a second place finish at the Viking Classic in Madison, Wisc. last month.

"It would be a dream come if I could win out here," said Turnesa, who has never played in this event before. "I think I can do it. It's just a matter of getting it done."

Despite both Johnson's and Turnesa's masterful performances Thursday, the tournament is still wide open.

Only three players with a share of the opening round lead have ended up winning this TPC event with Stuart Appleby accomplishing that feat most recently in 2003.

The field of eight golfers who are within two strokes hope that tradition remains constant this tournament.

Michael Allen, Nick Watney, Matt Kuchar and Ken Duke all notched 9-under 63s in the opening round while Kevin Na, John Mallinger, Nick Flanagan and Chez Reavie all sit with 8-under 64s.

The low scores are not a rarity for the TPC Summerlin course as the past four champions have an average round score of 66.

The warm weather conditions not only sped up the greens, but the lack of wind also helped players control their shots better. Thirty players finished 5-under or better.

"The conditions were kind of like being inside in a warm gymnasium," Allen said. "It was absolutely perfect conditions. The greens were beautiful early out. A little quick, but they were rolling great. Beautiful golf course."

The co-leaders Johnson and Turnesa will swap start times tomorrow as Johnson tees off from the first hole at 12:08 p.m. and Turnesa begins on hole No. 1 at 8:25 a.m.

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or steve.silver@lasvegassun.com.