Mayfair Takes Early Lead

In what’s been called a reward for the top 30 money winners, Billy Mayfair survived a punishing first round of the Tour Championship with a 2-under-par 68.

Despite a bogey on the 18th hole, Mayfair had a one-stroke lead over Brad Bryant, Vijay Singh and Payne Stewart.

They were the only players to break par on a blustery day at Southern Hills, which featured wind gusts to 30 mph and greens so fast that Nick Price had two short pitch shots spin 12 feet off the green en route to a triple bogey at No. 9.

Former Pullman resident Kirk Triplett finished tied in next-to-last place with Price with a 7-over 77.