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Rookie leads at PGA FBR Open

Posted on: Thursday, 29 January 2009, 20:32 CST

Rookie James Nitties, playing in his third event on the PGA Tour, grabbed a share of the lead Thursday after one round of the FBR Open in Arizona.

With some of the tour's leading attractions having their problems, Nitties fired a 6-under 65 at the TPC-Scottsdale course to tie Lucas Glover for the opening-round top spot. Nitties earned his tour card by finishing second at the qualifying tournament last fall.

David Berganio Jr. and Charley Hoffman shared third place at 66 while Briny Baird, Kevin Na and Matt Kuchar were at 67.

There are 15 major championship winners in the field this week and none of them were among the top 20 after 18 holes. Play was halted by darkness with nine players still on the course, but none of them had a chance to affect the top of the leader board.

This was the first competitive round of the year for Phil Mickelson and he opened with a disappointing 76.

Well, it really wasn't what I was hoping for, said Mickelson, who has never missed the cut in 17 season-opening appearances. If you play well, there's some low scores. If you hit it a little crooked, like I did, there's some bogeys and doubles, unfortunately.

All three winners on the tour to date are entered this week. Last week's Bob Hope Classic champion Pat Perez shot a 69, Mercedes-Benz title holder Geoff Ogilvy had a 70 and Sony Open champ Zach Johnson had a 71.

Anthony Kim, who took last week off to rest a sore shoulder, shot a 73.

Source: United Press International

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