Thu Apr 3 20:21:47 2008

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Sick Scott and Wagner share Houston Open lead

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Humble, TX (Sports Network) - A case of strep throat could not stop defending champion Adam Scott from firing a nine-under 63 on Thursday and sharing the first-round lead with Johnson Wagner at the Houston Open.

The 63s by the co-leaders established a new course record, topping the 64s posted last year at Redstone Golf Club's Tournament Course by Wagner and Bubba Watson.

And Scott turned the trick with a case of what the doctors believe to be strep throat. It almost forced last year's winner to withdraw from his title defense Thursday morning.

"I just don't like withdrawing from tournaments. I've only done it once I believe in my career, and I was pretty bad that day," said Scott. "I wanted to at least get out there and see how I was going. It's a good way to start."

Wagner finished with a flurry. He went five-under over his last five holes to get the course record for the second year in a row.

"It was more than I expected," admitted Wagner. "You can never wake up and say I'm going to shoot nine-under. It was great. Putts went in and it was a wonderful day."

Charley Hoffman shot a seven-under 65 for third place, followed by world No. 4 Steve Stricker, who carded a six-under 66 for sole possession of fourth place.

Scott started off with an unlikely birdie at the 10th hole, his first in the opening round. He drained a 55-footer for birdie, then added birdies at 12, 13 and 15.

The Aussie birdied his final two holes of his first side to make the turn at six-under 30.

Scott started his second nine with three consecutive pars, but birdied two in a row from the fourth to get to minus-eight. He birdied the par-five eighth hole and parred the ninth to secure the course record.

"I just feel really comfortable on this golf course," acknowledged Scott. "A lot of the shots really fit my eye. I feel like I know where to hit it. And the few pins that were in tough positions, I picked a target and managed to stick to it."

Illness or not, Scott will be considered one of the favorites next week at the Masters. After his round on Thursday, Scott may know of a way to give himself an edge.

"Maybe I shouldn't get the antibiotics," he joked. "I'd like to stay like this for about another two weeks."

Wagner also played the back nine first on Thursday and recorded three birdies over his first nine. He came back with a birdie at the first and back-to-back birdies from the fifth.

At the par-five eighth, Wagner hit a hybrid club with his second and knocked it to a foot. He tapped in the eagle putt, then holed a seven-footer at his last to match Scott in first.

If Scott is a favorite next week at Augusta, Wagner certainly is nowhere on the radar. That's because the only way he can get in is to visit the winner's circle this week.

"I know a win gets me into Augusta, but that's the last thing on my mind," said Wagner. "I have no business being there unless I win. I'm just worried about this week. No pressure."

Geoff Ogilvy, who won the CA Championship two weeks ago, 1995 PGA Champion Steve Elkington, Dean Wilson and Briny Baird are knotted in fifth place at minus-five.

Watson, Brett Quigley, Omar Uresti and 1997 British Open winner Justin Leonard share ninth at four-under 68.

Phil Mickelson only managed an even-par 72 on Thursday.