GRAND BLANC(Michigan), July 29: PGA Tour rookie Nick Watney shot a bogey free eight-under-par 64 to grab the lead after Thursday’s opening round of the 4.6 million dollar PGA Buick Open. The 24-year-old rookie has missed the cut in every event he’s played and shot lower than 70 once since finishing tied for 11th at the Wachovia Championship in May.

He showed no signs of a struggling player Thursday, reeling off eight birdies, including three in a row to close his round and take a one-shot lead.

Watney said a break, a lesson and a club change resulted in his flawless round.

Defending champion Vijay Singh and Jason Bohn are one shot back after shooting 65.

Singh was tied for the lead after back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15. A bogey at the 18th dropped Singh into a tie for second.

While Watney and Singh capitalized on a number of birdie opportunities, Woods was unable to generate any momentum and settled for a 1-under 71.

Scores

64 - Nick Watney

65 - Jason Bohn, Vijay Singh

66 - Craig Barlow, Mark Brooks, Olin Browne,

Jim Furyk, Neal Lancaster, Geoff Ogilvy

67 - Tommy Armour, Paul Goydos, Glen

Hnatiuk, Frank Lickliter, Rod Pampling,

Roland Thatcher

68 - Carl Pettersson, Justin Rose

69 - Steve Elkington, Paul Gow, Mathias Gronberg, Richard S. Johnson, Phillip Price, Hidemichi Tanaka

70 - Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Brendan Jones, John Senden, Charlie Wi

71 - Daniel Chopra, Jose Coceres, Richard Green, Stephen Leaney, Ian Leggatt, Michael Long, Craig Perks, Tiger Woods.

STOCKHOLM: Wales’ Bradley Dredge opened up a one-shot lead at the Scandinavian Masters on Friday after firing a 63 for a two round total of 129, 13 under par.