Viking Classic: First-round notebook

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MADISON, Miss. -- Marc Turnesa, who is making his first start in Madison, holds his first career 18-hole lead on the PGA TOUR, with a one-stroke lead over Brian Gay after the first round of the Viking Classic. His only other overnight lead on the PGA TOUR was after the second round at the 2008 Stanford St. Jude Championship in Memphis.

Brian Gay needed a mere 26 putts on Thursday as he fashioned a 66. (Squire/Getty Images)

Inside the Numbers

18-Hole Leaderboard

Player Score 1. Marc Turnesa 65 -7 2. Brian Gay 66 -6 T3. Lee Janzen 67 -5 T3. Jay Williamson 67 -5 T3. Dicky Pride 67 -5 T3. Nathan Green 67 -5 T3. Brad Adamonis 67 -5 T3. Andrew Buckle 67 -5

• Five times a player over 40-years-old has won the Viking Classic, including two players over the age of 45 -- Fred Funk in 2004 and Ed Dougherty in 1995. Lee Janzen (44), Jay Williamson (41), Robert Gamez (40), Michael Bradley (42), Todd Hamilton (42), Dan Forsman (50), John Huston (47) and Greg Kraft (44) are all within three strokes of the leader through 54-holes.

• There were 10 bogey-free rounds on Thursday: Jay Williamson, Robert Gamez, Michael Bradley, Todd Hamilton, Dan Forsman, Garrett Willis, Ron Whittaker, Craig Kanada, Bo Van Pelt and Will MacKenzie.

• 2007 Viking Classic winner Chad Campbell did not return in 2008 to defend his title because he was selected to play as a member of the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Team. The Ryder Cup, the biennial team event between the United States and European players, is taking place this week in Louisville, Ky., during the Viking Classic tournament week.

• There are 13 players with Ryder Cup experience in the Viking Classic field. They include former European player Jesper Parnevik and former American contestants Chris DiMarco, Fred Funk, Jim Gallagher Jr., J.J. Henry, Lee Janzen, Jeff Maggert, Larry Mize, Chris Riley, David Toms, Mark Calcavecchia, David Duval and Vaughan Taylor.

• Playing in his 10th Viking Classic, Lee Janzen opened with a solid first round, shooting a 4-under 68. In 2006 he finished third, one stroke out of the playoff with Joe Durant and D.J. Trahan. It is his best finish on TOUR since being runner-up to Kenny Perry at the 2003 Memorial Tournament.

• Viking Classic veterans playing this week include Jim Gallagher Jr. and Steve Lowery. Gallagher leads the way with 19 appearances, beginning in 1984 when this tournament was part of the Tournament Players Series. Gallagher has played in this event every year since 1996. He finished 2-over 74 on Thursday. This is Lowery's 18th appearance in Mississippi. The 2000 champion finished his round at 1-over 73

• David Duval shot an opening-round, 3-under-par 69, matching his best round of the 2008 season. Duval has made three cuts in his 15 previous starts this season, including a tie for 39th at the British Open. Duval also played in the 2006 Viking Classic, where he tied for 50th. Duval has just three sub-70 rounds this season -- all 69s (1st round- John Deere Classic, 2nd round -- British Open Championship)

• Past Viking Classic champions performed well Thursday, led by John Huston and Greg Kraft with 4-under 68s. Cameron Beckman and Fred Funk had 71s, while Willie Wood had a 72 and Steve Lowery and Heath Slocum carded 73s.