/world sport
GRAND BLANC, Michigan (AP) -- Bo Van Pelt, Corey Pavin and Dudley Hart each shot eight-under 64s to share the opening round lead at the Buick Open, a stroke ahead of Briny Baird and Daniel Chopra.
Bo Van Pelt was in the trio which leads the way after the first round of the Buick Open.
Rocco Mediate, who lost to Tiger Woods in a 19-hole playoff at the U.S. Open in his last appearance, appeared weary from endless interviews since, shooting a one-under 71. "I'm about to faint," Mediate said after signing his card.
Woody Austin was in a group at 66. Bubba Watson was in a pack another stroke back with Charles Warren, who had six straight birdies to tie the longest birdie-eagle streak this year on the PGA Tour.
Jim Furyk was among a big group four shots behind the leaders.
Pavin, who closed strong to tie for 10th last week at the Travelers Championship, shot 64s in consecutive rounds for the first time in his 25-year career. He credited his Bulls Eye putter, a rare piece of equipment today on the tour.
"It's a putter I got in 1984 -- brand new," Pavin said. "I used it for quite a while, probably up until about the middle of '95. Then, it took a break until last year. It was on the bench for over a decade."
Pavin's 15th and last victory on tour was in 2006 in Milwaukee.
The Buick Open took a hit at the gate when Woods had knee surgery earlier this week, leaving the tournament with a field that includes just nine of the top 50 players in the world.
Furyk (No. 12), Justin Leonard (No. 23) and Perry (No. 27) are the only players among the top 30 in the world. Perry opened with a 69 and Leonard had a 71, tying Mediate's first-round performance.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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