Varner, Rose lead way as golf finally returns

JUSTIN Rose and Harold Varner III carded rounds of 63 to take the lead in the PGA’s first major tournament since the pandemic shut down the sport.

Englishman and world No.14 Rose was the clubhouse leader at the Colonial Golf course in Fort Worth until American Varner holed a 3.5m putt at the 18th to join him on seven-under yesterday.

The pair held a one-shot lead over Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas, Mexico’s Abraham Ancer and Americans Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas.

Matt Jones was the best of the Australian contingent, shooting an impressive four-under 66.

The Sydneysider’s blemish-free round included birdies on the first, eighth, ninth and 15th and left him in a 10-way tie for 16th.

Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith and John Senden all shot 69 to be tied for 57th.

Two back-nine bogeys left Jason Day at even par and in a tie for 78th.

The event is the first on the PGA Tour since the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida in early March, and has drawn a star-studded field to Texas.

Sixteen of the world’s top 20 are in action, with top-ranked Rory McIlroy’s round of 68 good enough for a share of 39th.

Rose said a bit of luck on the opening hole had set him on his way as he overcame some wayward shots to birdie his first hole.

“I got some momentum,” he said on Sky Sports Golf.

“I didn’t play particularly well on the first six or seven holes but the putter was really hot. I got into a nice rhythm and I could have maybe got in the clubhouse better but I rode my luck a little bit.”