Jul 3, 2008 - 6:48 PM
0 shoutsBETHESDA, Maryland (Ticker) -- Steve Marino has the early lead after firing an opening 5-under-par 65 Thursday at the $6 million AT&T National on the Blue Course at Congressional Country Club.
Marino holds a one-shot lead over Bob Estes, Jeff Overton, Frank Lickliter and Rod Pampling, who all shot a 4-under 66. Seven other players are two strokes back at 3-under 67.
The 28-year-old Marino birdied three of his first four holes and added birdies at Nos. 13 and 18 during his bogey-free round.
"The course is playing a little bit easier than last year," Marino said. "I think the rough is probably half as tall as it was last year. So it gives you some leeway. If you miss the fairway sometimes you can hit it on the green, or at least advance it somewhere up around the green where you can get it up-and-down."
Stuart Appleby, who has five top-10 finishes this season, is among the crowd at 3-under after completing a bogey-free round.
"I like the way I'm playing and I'm feeling comfortable out there," Appleby said. "I've got some good stuff going on.
"The course was playing reasonably easy. Not easy as in you'll make a pile of birdies, but it was in front of us. Course is firming up so the ball was bouncing a little bit, but it's not getting any easier."
Defending champion K.J. Choi carded a 2-under 68 in his first round and is in a tie for 13th place with eight others.
"It's a good number, 2-under-par today," Choi said. "I wasn't nervous and I enjoyed the round and I had a good group and the crowd was great."
The highest-ranked player in the field at No. 7, Steve Sticker made three bogeys and two birdies, shooting a 71. He finished second to Choi at this event last year.
The event is hosted by Tiger Woods, who was advised by doctors not to fly after undergoing knee surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee three weeks ago.
First prize of $1.08 million.
