ESPN Golf Online news services
Friday, April 28

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- There was a logjam at the top of the leaderboard early in the first round of the Bruno's Memorial Classic. Then along came red-hot Larry Nelson.

Fresh off his first victory of the season, Nelson closed his round with two birdies and an eagle to move into sole possession of the lead after the first round of the $1.3 million event.

The defending champion, Nelson finished with a 6-under 66 at Greystone Country Club to move one shot ahead of six golfers, including 1992 champion George Archer and Dana Quigley, last year's runner-up. Gil Morgan, Mike McCullough, Joe Inman and Bob Eastwood also carded 67s.

Nelson started his round with birdie putts from 15 and 30 feet, respectively, on the par-4 first and 532-yard second. He parred the next 10 holes before tapping in for birdie on the 531-yard 13th, but ran into trouble on the 165-yard 14th and three-putted for his only bogey.

After making a three-footer for birdie on the par-4 16th, Nelson used a 5-iron on his tee shot to set up a 45-foot birdie putt on the 201-yard 17th. His second shot with a new 3-wood on the 526-yard 18th landed within eight feet of the cup. He made the eagle putt to complete his eighth straight sub-par round.

"I had a good finish with birdie, birdie, eagle," Nelson said. "After the recent stretch and win last week, I told my son (Drew) I needed his help to keep me from going flat."

After three second-place finishes this year, the 52-year-old Nelson claimed last week's Las Vegas Senior Classic for his sixth career title on the Senior Tour.

Nelson birdied three of the final seven holes last year en route to a final-round 68 and a one-stroke win over Quigley. He had gone winless since then before ending his title drought in Las Vegas.

Archer started with a 15-footer for birdie on No. 1 before scorching the back nine with five birdies, including a 16-footer on No. 17. He closed his round on a downer, leaving his tee shot in a bad lie on No. 18 and ending up three-putting for bogey.

"I did make a lot of short putts," Archer said. "I think the only one inside 10 feet I missed was at No. 18."

Archer, 60, claimed his 19th career Senior Tour title at the season-opening MasterCard Championship. He won the inaugural event here in 1992 by one stroke.

Bob Murphy, the 1993 winner, and Andy North were among six golfers who posted 68s. Seeking his first win of the season, Hale Irwin was one of six players who shot a 69. Reigning player of the year Bruce Fleisher struggled to a 73.