Jeff Maggert used a torrid finish over the final four holes to pull into a tie with Brendon de Jonge during the first round of the US Bank Championship. Maggert, who missed the cut in his previous four tournaments, eagled the par-five 15th hole and birdied Nos. 16 and 18 en route to a seven-under-par 63 at Brown Deer Park Golf Course. Steve Elkington is the best placed Australian, just two shots from the lead at four-under, while compatriots Steve Allan and Jarrod Lyle are a further two shots adrift at two-under. Maggert admitted that at 43 years of age he has to work harder to stay ahead of the game. “(Age) doesn&apost bother me, it&aposs just a part of my life where it&aposs harder to spend the time to work on my game,” Maggert said. “There are 200 young kids out here, trying to get out here and they work hard, they are young and strong. Sometimes it&aposs hard to kind of keep up with those guys.” As for de Jonge, the 27-year-old native of Harare, Zimbabwe started on the back nine and overcame two quick bogeys to finish with seven birdies and an eagle on Number Two. He carded a five-under 29 on his last nine holes. Not too shabby for de Jonge, who played collegiate golf at Virginia Tech. “Hopefully keep on doing what I&aposm doing,” de Jonge said. “It worked today. I can&apost get ahead of myself. “Play well (Friday) and get myself in good position for the weekend. It&aposs only Thursday, there is a long way to go.” Garrett Willis amassed six birdies – including four on the back nine – and is one stroke off the pace. Robert Gamez overcame three bogeys in a four-hole stretch to post eight birdies and finish tied with Jay Williamson at five-under. “I&aposve had some good rounds here, but I need to put four of them together,” Gamez said. “Milwaukee has been a good town for me. I first came here in 1991, finished second, shot a 61 at Tuckaway (Country Club). I&aposve had some good rounds at this tournament and this golf course.” Defending champion Corey Pavin finished strong with two birdies on the final three holes to finish at one-under 69. Of the other Australians in the field, Stephen Leaney fired a 69 to be six shots from the lead, Mathew Goggin carded a 70, while Michael Sim, Nathan Green and Andrew Buckle finished the day at one-over the card. Fellow Australian Paul Gow shot an opening round of 72 to be tied for 85th, one ahead of Gavin Coles who carded a 73. Results from the opening round of the US Bank Championship: (par 70) -7: Jeff Maggert 63, Brendon de Jonge 63 -6: Garrett Willis 64 -5: Robert Gamez 65, Jay Williamson 65 -4: Jesper Parnevik 66, Steve Elkington (Australia) 66, Tim Herron 66, Craig Bowden 66, Tom Johnson 66 -3: Joe Ogilvie 67, J.P. Hayes 67, Brian Gay 67, Mark Wilson 67, Cliff Kresge 67, Parker McLachlin 67, Camilo Villegas 67 -2: John Mallinger 68, Tom Byrum 68, Tim Clark 68, Brad Faxon 68, Dicky Pride 68, Chris Tidland 68, Larry Mize 68, Kevin Na 68, Briny Baird 68, Steve Allan (Australia) 68, Bob Estes 68, Alex Cejka 68, Jeff Overton 68, Bubba Dickerson 68, James Driscoll 68, Steve Wheatcroft 68, Jarrod Lyle (Australia) 68 Also: -1: Stephen Leaney 69 E: Mathew Goggin 70 +1: Michael Sim (Australia) 71, Andrew Buckle (Australia) 71, Nathan Green (Australia) 71 +2: Paul Gow (Australia) 72 +3: Gavin Coles (Australia) 73 +4: Craig Perks (NZ) 74
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