Golf-Stuard sets early pace in rainy New Orleans

American journeyman Brian Stuard took advantage of rain-softened conditions with a red-hot putter to charge into an early one-shot lead in the weather-hit opening round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Thursday. Seeking his first PGA Tour victory, Stuard had just 21 putts as he fired a flawless eight-under-par 64 at the TPC Louisiana, finishing a stroke in front of veteran South African Retief Goosen. Australian Geoff Ogilvy and Americans J.J. Henry, Derek Ernst, Patrick Rodgers and Charles Howell III carded 67s on a day when half the field did not complete the opening round after almost five hours of play was wiped out by heavy thunderstorms.

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