20110401
Westwood well-placed after opening round of 68
Last updated: 1st April 2011 
Westwood: mixed round
USA unless stated
-9 Jimmy Walker
-7 Nick O’Hern (Aus)
-7 Josh Teater
-6 Chris Kirk
-5 Brendan Steele
-5 Steve Stricker
-5 Nathan Green (Aus)
-5 John Rollins
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Jimmy Walker shot a nine-under-par 63 to lead after the first round of the Shell Houston Open.
The 32-year-old American had nine birdies in a flawless round which matched the course record, as he developed a two-stroke advantage at the top of the leaderboard.
Walker has had two fourth-placed finishes in 2011 and stands 26th on the money list, but is still seeking his first PGA Tour title.
Australian Nick O’Hern and American Josh Teater shared second place at Redstone Golf Club after bogey-free 65s.
A dropped shot at the par-four 18th, his first of the round, meant Chris Kirk fell to six under, which he occupied alone, and thereafter the leaderboard became tightly packed.
Steve Stricker stood in a four-way share of fifth place after signing for a 67, alongside fellow Americans John Rollins and Brendan Steele and Australian Nathan Greene.
Mixed
Lee Westwood, who will climb back to number one in the world if he finishes in the top two this week, had a mixed start to his round but had five birdies on the back nine as he completed a four-under 68.
Padraig Harrington was on the same mark, while Phil Mickelson, playing in the same group as Westwood and preparing to defend his Masters title next week, had a two-under 70.
Italy’s Francesco Molinari was three under, while England’s Ross Fisher and Brian Davis shot rounds of 71, as did German Alex Cejka and South Africa’s former Masters runner-up Ernie Els.
European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal had a day to forget, carding a 77, but it was worse for Australian Steven Bowditch who had two double bogeys and a quadruple-bogey eight in the space of four holes as he reached the turn in 10 over par.
He managed to complete the back nine in level par but was set for a clear weekend.
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Continued here:
Walker holds Houston lead