Ricky Barnes has notched six birdies on the back nine, including four in a row, to lead the Zurich Classic of New Orleans by a shot. Barnes carded an eight-under 64 at the TPC Louisiana on Thursday to top the leaderboard after the opening round of the PGA Tour event. The 32-year-old American, who has never won on the PGA Tour, leads compatriots Boo Weekley and Lucas Glover, who are both on seven under, while DA Points and Morgan Hoffman are tied a further shot back. Barnes eagled the par-five 2nd hole to kick-start his first round and then birdied the 4th but a bogey on the 6th took him back to two under. In a brilliant run home, Barnes birdied the 11th hole before notching four birdies in a row from the 13th and another on the 18th to finish on eight under. Weekley also eagled the 2nd hole on his way to a bogey-free round of 65 including birdies on the 14th, 16th and 18th in a strong finish, while Glover could have finished in the lead but for bogeys on the 6th and 12th. Hoffman produced one of the best starts in the first round, scoring consecutive birdies to begin and then carding three in a row from the 6th hole but the 23-year-old slowed down on the back nine to finish with a six-under 66 alongside Points. A group of 10 players are tied for sixth, one shot behind Points and Hoffman at five under, including Ernie Els, Rickie Fowler and Australia&aposs Matt Jones.
Author: Omnisport