ZIMBABWE'S Nick Price birdied the final five holes to take a one stroke lead with a six under par 65 after the first round of the MCI Classic at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina yesterday.
British Open champion Tom Lehman, Brad Faxon and Rick Fehr all opened the £1 million tournament with 66s, one shot ahead of Lennie Clements and Hal Sutton.
Price started on the back nine and stumbled at the start with consecutive three putt bogeys. He scrambled back to even par with birdies on the 13th and 15th holes. Price turned onto the front nine of the course and rolled in a 12 foot putt to move under par.
After three straight pars, Price made his charge, starting with a two foot putt for birdie on the 535 yard fifth hole.
He added putts of 12 and 10 feet on the next two holes before draining a 20 footer on the 466 yard eighth hole. And he capped his round by dropping a pitching wedge within three feet of the cup on the ninth hole before putting for birdie.
Scotland's Colin Montgomerie hit a level par 71, while England's dick Faldo had a three over 74.
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