Goggin grabs lead thanks to 9 putts on last 9

Jack Nicklaus always envisioned the Memorial as a northern version of the Masters, from the superb course conditions to super slick greens, from caddies wearing white coveralls to grounds so immaculate that nary a cigarette butt is to be found.

He got his wish Thursday in Dublin, Ohio, at least with the greens.

Mathew Goggin spent as little time on them as possible, taking only 9 putts over his final nine holes on his way to a 7-under 65 and a 1-shot lead over Jerry Kelly and two-time Memorial champion Kenny Perry.

"Is that possible?" Goggin said of the 9 putts.

Goggin holed out a bunker shot for birdie on the par-3 fourth, then ended his round with a 12-footer for par from off the green, giving him only 22 putts for his round.

Perry found the right speed and ran off 6 straight birdies on his way to a 66, also taking 22 putts. Kelly birdied four of his last six holes. Ten other players also managed to break 70 on a day when the average score was 73.7.

Ginn Tribute: Annika Sorenstam's name is everywhere at the LPGA Tour's Ginn Tribute except near the top of the leaderboard after the opening round.

Sorenstam's even-par 72 left her 7 shots behind co-leaders Karrie Webb and In-Kyung Kim, and tied for 60th at RiverTowne Country Club in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Sorenstam, ranked second in the world, has looked forward to playing strongly at the tournament she's hosted the past two years. Pairing sheets, programs, caps and T-shirts all bear her first name, "ANNIKA," in capital letters.

Wales Open: Scott Strange made 5 straight birdies and shot an 8-under 63 to take a 1-stroke lead over Edoardo Molinari in the first round of the Wales Open in Newport, Wales.