RECORD START GIVES DUFNER BIG LEAD

DUBLIN, Ohio — Jason Dufner wanted to put together more than just a few good rounds this week at the Memorial.

The first two put him in the record book.

Dufner holed out from 176 yards on the 18th hole for an eagle, and then added three more birdies on the front nine at Muirfield Village for another 7-under 65. That put him at 130 and gave him the 36-hole scoring record at the Memorial. Scott Hoch in 1987 and Rickie Fowler in 2010 previously shared the record at 13-under 131. Neither went on to win the tournament.

Dufner had a six-shot lead over Fowler when he finished, and then had to wait to see what kind of margin he would have going into the weekend. He played Friday morning in warm, sunny and pristine scoring condition on greens that are pure as any on the PGA Tour.

Jordan Spieth, one shot behind Dufner after the opening round, was among those playing in the afternoon.

The shot that got the most attention was Dufner’s 6-iron that he holed on No. 18 for his eagle. With a back left pin, the shot fit what he was trying to do, and he said the bonus was that it found the bottom of the cup.

The key to his great play was his putting, something Dufner rarely says. When asked about it at Kapalua to start the year, Dufner said: “I’ve been putting bad for 17 years. It’s tough to change.”

LPGA

At Galloway Township, N.J.: Anna Nordqvist knows how to get around Stockton Seaview — and likes the view from atop the ShopRite LPGA Classic leaderboard.

The two-time defending champion shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the 54-hole event near Atlantic City.

“It just really fits my eye,” Nordqvist said. “I have so many good memories here, obviously. It almost feels like home now with a lot of supporters and a lot of friends here.”

She’s trying to join fellow Swede Annika Sorenstam as the only three-time winner.

“I feel like I enjoy this place, but at the same time, I don’t feel like I have anything to prove here,” Nordqvist said.