No. 2 Singh sizzles in opening round

Fresh from inclusion in the World Golf Hall of Fame, Vijay Singh tied the course record with an 8-under-par 64 for a one-shot lead Thursday after the first round of the Houston Open in Humble, Texas.

The 42-year-old Fijian, No. 2 in the world rankings, extended his streak of par or better to 56 holes at the Redstone Golf Club, where he won this event a year ago.

Singh laughed when told of his bogey-free string going back to last year, when he won by two shots.

“Don’t mention that,” he said. “I struck the ball really well today, had a very good feel of the greens and my speed was good, and when you do that you can make some birdies.”

After Singh came Australians Gavin Coles and Brendan Jones. Eight players were at 67. Six others, including John Daly, were another shot back.

Singh was announced Wednesday as the latest inductee into the Hall of Fame, although he said he learned three weeks ago the honor was coming, meaning it wasn’t a distraction now.

“My focus this week is coming out here,” he said.

European PGA Tour

Strong winds caused play to be suspended on the first day of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Beijing.

Australia’s Adam Scott was atop the leaderboard at 3 under through 10 holes when play was halted after less than four hours because of winds reaching better than 30 mph. France’s Jean Jucquin was 2 under through 13 holes, South Korea’s K.J. Choi was 2 under through nine, and Spain’s Jose Lara was 2 under through five.

Ernie Els completed nine holes and was 1 over. Sergio Garcia, playing in the same group as Scott, was 1 under.

LPGA Tour

Natalie Gulbis shot a 6-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead in the Corona Morelia Championship in Morelia, Mexico, while Lorena Ochoa struggled to a 71 in her second LPGA Tour event in her homeland.

Sweden’s Carin Koch was two strokes back at 68 along with Audra Burks. Burks had an eagle, three birdies and a bogey. Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., last week’s winner, opened with a 71.