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Stricker shares lead at Colonial

FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Steve Stricker enjoyed his afternoon at the Colonial Country Club on Thursday.

Stricker shot a 7-under 63 and shared the first-round lead with Woody Austin, Tim Clark at the Crowne Plaza Invitational.

The Edgerton native was the only one of the three leaders with an afternoon tee time. That meant more spike marks on greens and drier conditions, but Stricker needed only 25 putts to complete the round and post his third-lowest score of the year.

“Conditions were just right for scoring,” Stricker said. “Very little wind, soft conditions on the greens, and the greens being a little slower than normal.”

Stricker, one of the best putters on tour, hasn’t been satisfied with that part of his game this season. He has worked on his putting, which produced results Thursday.

“I put a little more focus and attention on that and rolled the ball great today,” Stricker said.

Stricker said changes made to the Colonial Country Club course helped him.

“It took away some of the longer ball, the longer hitter’s advantage,” Stricker said. “It kind of played more into a guy that hits it middle of the pack as far as distance goes.”

Stricker doesn’t see the course conditions changing.

“I see the fairways firming up, but I don’t see the greens really firming up,” he said. “It just doesn’t seem like they have the appearance or the structure to get firm.”

Stricker has five top-10s that include a runner-up at the Northern Trust Open and the dubious tie for third in Palm Springs, where he stumbled home with a 77, eventually finishing behind winner Pat Perez.

Vijay Singh shot a 6-under 64, leaving him a stroke behind the three leaders. Singh played the event all but once from 1996-2002. He was set to return in ’03, and then withdrew after criticizing the decision to allow Annika Sorenstam, a woman, into the field.

Singh’s playing partner Kenny Perry, a two-time Colonial winner, also shot a 64.

Paul Casey, playing his first tournament since moving up to No. 3 in the world rankings, opened with a 66. He won the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday in England.

for his third victory of the season.