Sam Ryder leads Houston Open as Rickie Fowler, Paul Dunne impress
Saturday 31 March 2018 01:43, UK
Sam Ryder topped the leaderboard after a weather-affected opening day at the Houston Open, where Rickie Fowler and Paul Dunne enjoyed impressive starts.
Ryder reached eight-under-par with three holes still to play at Golf Club of Houston when play was suspended due to darkness, after overnight rain had seen the opening round delayed by two hours.
The world No 321 is a shot clear of former US Open champion Lucas Glover and Kevin Tway, who set the clubhouse target after posting matching blemish-free 65s, with Beau Hossler also on seven under with two holes to complete.
Fowler warmed up for the Masters with a six-under 66 to sit in the group tied-fifth alongside Dunne, who still has four holes remaining, while Irish duo Seamus Power and Padraig Harrington lie three strokes off the pace.
"I'll take three more of those and then a few more next week," Fowler told Sky Sports. "A nice solid start and definitely happy with where the game is at, especially with Augusta right around the corner."
Ryder, who hasn't finished higher than tied-50th in his 11 PGA Tour starts this season, birdied his opening hole and drained a 30-footer at the sixth before posting four consecutive gains around the turn.
The American holed a 25-footer at the 14th to move in to a share of the lead, before claiming the outright advantage with a birdie at the par-five next just before play was halted at 7.40pm local time (1.40am BST).
The final place in the field at the Masters is on offer to the winner in Houston, with 126 of the 144-man field aiming to secure a last-minute trip to Augusta National.
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Three-time major champion Harrington and Presidents Cup captain Steve Stricker - both not currently in next week's field - shot opening-round 67s, while Henrik Stenson and Jordan Spieth are part of the group on four under.
Phil Mickelson posted six birdies under preferred lies on the front nine but double-bogeyed the 14th to also sign for a 68, with Justin Rose also lies four off the pace after bogeying his final hole.
Former world No 1 Lee Westwood is in the group on two under through 16 holes as he aims to qualify for the Masters for a 14th consecutive year, while Ian Poulter is a further three strokes down the leaderboard with a hole to complete.
Watch the Houston Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues with featured groups on Friday from 1.30pm on Sky Sports Golf.
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