Golf: Tway hits form to snatch the lead

BOB TWAY staged a late charge to produce a six-under-par 66 and grab a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Sarazen World Open in Brasleton, Georgia, on Thursday.

Tway led Edward Fryatt, a British-born US resident who plays on the Asian circuit, by one shot and Bernhard Langer, of Germany, and Greg Turner by two. Brad Faxon was among a group of six golfers who shot three-under 69s.

John Huston, who finished 10th on the PGA money list, was in a group of three golfers, four shots off the pace. Padraig Harrington of Ireland and Craig Stadler were also at two under.

Tway was three under after 14 holes, but took over at the top of the leaderboard with three successive birdies.

At the par-three 15th, he rolled in a 12-footer and followed by sinking 10-footers at the 16th and 17th. He had a chance to distance himself from Fryatt but two-putted at the 18th.

"I'm pleased with everything today," said Tway, who finished 10th at last week's season-ending Tour Championship. "Even though it was cold it could get worse tomorrow. It's nice to have a round like this. This course plays tough under these conditions. Last week, you could not relax. This is more relaxed but again it's a good tournament and I will grind it out, then take some time off."

The 27-year-old Fryatt was born in England but lives in Las Vegas and plays on the Asian Tour. "I have lived in the US for 22 years but have played in a lot of countries," said Fryatt, who earlier this year won the China and Malaysian Opens.

The defending champion, Mark Calcavecchia, who established the tournament record last year with a 17-under 271, carded an even par 72. He set a course record with a 62 in the opening round last year.