American Kresge forges clear at Tampa Bay

MIAMI, Mar 9 (Reuters) American journeyman Cliff Kresge charged into a two-shot lead after firing a six-under-par 65 in the Tampa Bay Championship first round.

Back on the PGA Tour for a fourth time after a two-year absence, Kresge reeled off two eagles, four birdies and two late bogeys in bright sunshine on the Copperhead Course at the Westin Innisbrook Resort.

The fast-starting American got to eight under after just 11 holes before dropping shots at the 16th and the last, where he missed the fairway off the tee and found a greenside bunker with his approach.

''For 11 holes, it was a dream round,'' Kresge told reporters.

''I drove it straight down the middle and hit every iron right at the flag.

''Although I got in my way a little bit at the end, six under is still a darn good score,'' added the New Jersey native, who holed a five-iron from 184 yards to eagle the par-four sixth.

A former student at the University of Central Florida, Kresge regained his PGA Tour status for this season by finishing third in the 2006 Nationwide Tour money list.

Swede Daniel Chopra fired a five-birdie 67 to share second place with Americans Arron Oberholser, Anthony Kim and Doug Labelle II.

Five-times PGA Tour winner Jesper Parnevik, also of Sweden, was a further stroke back along with Americans Pat Perez, Heath Slocum, Hunter Mahan, Joey Sindelar and Matt Kuchar, plus Colombian Camilo Villegas.

South Korea's K.J. Choi, who surged to a four-shot victory in last year's event, and American Mark Wilson, who won the Honda Classic in a playoff on Monday, were among a group of 15 bunched on 69.

World number nine and 2004 champion Vijay Singh, the highest-ranked player at Innisbrook, opened with a 70 but twice Masters winner Bernhard Langer battled to a six-bogey 77.

REUTERS DKS PM0702