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Furyk Takes Early Lead At Transitions

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 19, 2009

PALM HARBOR - Jim Furyk, a former U.S. Open champion but without a PGA Tour win last season, shot 6-under par 65 at Innisbrook Resort this morning to take the early lead first-round lead in the PGA Tour's Transitions Championship.

At the end of the morning's first wave of tee times, Furyk is one shot in front of Stephen Ames's 66.

Mathew Goggin and Jonathan Byrd finished at 4-under 67.

Furyk is a 13-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the 2003 U.S. Open. But just short of his 39th birthday, Furyk was winless last season for only the third season since becoming a full-time tour player.

Beginning play on the back-nine of the Copperhead course, Furyk birdied Nos. 11, 12, 14 and 18 to make the turn 4 under.

Furyk birdied the first, second and sixth on his back side to get to 7 under before making his only bogey of the day on the par-3 eighth.

He hit 13 of 18 greens in regulation and 11 of 13 fairways. He needed 25 putts.

Kenny Perry, No. 8 on the World Golf Rankings, is among the second half of the field that had afternoon tee times.

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