Haas leads Funai Classic

He finished one shot clear of compatriots Mark Calcavecchia, Steve Lowery, Ryan Moore, JJ Henry, Pat Perez and Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy.

The top seven all played at the Palm Course, the easier of the two layouts being used at the $4.4 million tournament.

Despite his fine start, a weary Haas was not counting on a high finish at the end of the week, saying he was prepared to go back to qualifying school.

“I’ve already sent my Q-school entry in,” said Haas, who is 166th on the money-list. I’ve been grinding too much, I’m just ready to take it easy. It’s been too long a year,” he told reporters. “If I win here great, whatever happens let it happen. It doesn’t bother me anymore.”

Perez, Calcavecchia, winner of the Canadian Open last month, and Lowery, who eagled the two par-fives on his outward nine, also enjoyed error-free starts.

Moore, attempting to become the first rookie since Woods to secure his tour card without going to qualifying school, mixed an eagle and seven birdies with one bogey. “I got some things to go my way, hit a few shots, made a few putts, there you go,” said Moore, who turned professional after the U.S. Open in June. But I’ve still got to go out there tomorrow and shoot a good round.”

Henry’s scorecard also included a single blemish, with one bogey mixed with two eagles and five birdies. Ogilvy’s eight-under 64 contained one eagle, seven birdies and one bogey.

Three-times Major winner Nick Price of Zimbabwe, who has not made a cut since finishing in a tie for ninth at the U.S. Open, led a group of seven players on 65.

Playing on the tougher Magnolia course, world No.2 Vijay Singh, the Disney champion in 2003 and runner-up last year, signed for a three-under 69. Retief Goosen, back in action after being forced out with a groin injury, recorded a 71 at Magnolia.

Jeev tied 36th, Jyoti misses cut

Chiba: Jeev Milkha Singh birdied all four par-fives to complete a par round of 72 on a tough scoring day and made the cut at tied 36th midway through the 110 million yen Bridgestone Open on Friday. But there was bad news from Jyoti Randhawa, who after his first round of three-under 69 crashed to seven-over 79 and missed the cut.

Jeev had six birdies but those were offset by four bogeys and one double bogey. Randhawa started with a quintuple bogey as he lost a ball and ran into all problems and never really recovered. — PTI