Inspired Snedeker takes lead

GOLF

HOUSTON: Brandt Snedeker birdied two of his final four holes to grab the lead after the first round of the Houston Open, while Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka all struggled in the last tournament before next week’s Masters.

Snedeker, who won the 2012 FedEx Cup, feasted on Memorial Park’s par fives, nailing birdies on all three of them behind some pinpoint accuracy off the tee to card a fiveunder 65 to sit two strokes ahead of six players.

‘‘This course is a long, tough golf course, so to play well you need to take advantage of the scoring holes, which I did a great job of today,’’ he said.

The American said he was boosted by the fans in attendance. The tournament is the second to allow a limited number of fans to attend since golf came back from its Covid19 shutdown in June.

‘‘It’s great to hear some claps and people excited for good shots and some birdies,’’ said Snedeker, who is seeking his 10th career win on the Tour.

‘‘That’s a big reason why I think I played well. I was excited to be out there and [had] been missing them, so glad to have them back.’’

World No 1 Johnson, playing in his first tournament since testing positive for the disease and spending 11 days in isolation, had a stretch of three consecutive bogeys before making the turn and was forced to settle for a round of twoover 72.

Former world No 1 Spieth, seeking his first win since the 2017 British Open, went out in the morning wave and held a share of the lead through 12 holes before making two bogeys and two doublebogeys on the way to a threeover 73.

Spieth’s playing partner Koepka mixed three birdies with three bogeys and one double bogey for a round of twoover 72.

‘‘I hit it terrible today,’’ fourtime major winner Koepka said.

‘‘It’s funny because I’ve hit it so good the last couple weeks, and so that was disappointing.’’

The round was called for darkness with a handful of players left to complete their final holes. — Reuters

❛ It’s great to hear some claps and people excited for good shots

and some birdies.

PHOTO: THOMAS SHEA — USA TODAY SPORTS/REUTERS Brandt Snedeker hits an approach shot on the 18th fairway during the first round of the Houston Open golf tournament at Memorial Park Golf Course.