PALM HARBOR (Florida), Oct 31: Charles Howell III posted a five-under-par 66 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Chrysler Championship.

Dan Forsman fired a four-under-par 67 while Robert Gamez, Jerry Kelly, Chad Campbell and Argentina’s Jose Coceres shared third place after opening with 68s.

World number four Davis Love III was a further stroke back in a tie for seventh with South Africa’s Retief Goosen.

Also on 69 are J.J. Henry, Duffy Waldorf and Steve Lowery.

Fiji’s Vijay Singh, the world number two, carded a one-under 70, as did South Africa’s Ernie Els.

Should Singh win the Chrysler Championship, he will tie up the PGA Tour money earnings title.

World number one Tiger Woods has held that title each year since 1999.

Players who finish among the top-125 on the tour’s money list after this tournament are exempt for the 2004 season.

Leading first round scores:

66 Charles Howell III

67 Dan Forsman

68 Robert Gamez, Jerry Kelly, Jose Coceres, Chad Campbell

69 J.J. Henry, Duffy Waldorf, Davis Love III, Retief Goosen, Steve Lowery

70 Carl Paulson, Pat Perez, John Rollins, Vijay Singh, Mark Brooks, Ernie Els, Tom Byrum, Jeff Maggert, Billy Mayfair, Len Mattiace, Craig Perks, Donnie Hammond, Jason Gore

PLAY ABANDONED

SOTOGRANDE (Spain): Second-round play at the Volvo Masters was abandoned on Friday due to heavy rain and strong winds.

The scheduled start was initially put back by four hours, following torrential overnight rain on an already sodden course, and organisers had to delay it further as winds gusted up to 80 kph.—Reuters