The Daily Wrap-up, Round 1: HP Byron Nelson
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Fun-loving PGA TOUR rookie James Nitties can get serious, too.
While not shy about his TOUR bio that lists his special interests as clubbing, girls and movies, the 26-year-old Australian is trying to stay focused on a stretch of tournaments that could culminate with a spot in the U.S. Open.
"It's not easy, but I just made an executive decision where I have to play well over the next five weeks," Nitties said. "It's not just fun and games out here."
Nitties finished with four consecutive birdies for a 5-under 65 Thursday to share the first-round lead at the HP Byron Nelson Championship with Ken Duke, another surprise at the top of the leaderboard.
Duke snapped a streak of 11 consecutive rounds in the 70s to share the first-round lead for only the second time in his 118 career starts. His putt at No. 18 stopped 3 inches from the hole, or he could have had another birdie and the lead alone.
"You think you should do better than you're doing, and then you press the issues and don't just let it come to you," the 40-year-old Duke said. "I guess that's kind of what I've done."
Until the HP Byron Nelson Championship, when he had five birdies over eight holes after being even through the first eight.
Mike Weir, Scott McCarron, Charles Howell III and Brad Adamonis shot 66s, and Jesper Parnevik and Tommy Armour III were among a group of a dozen players with 67s.
Defending champion Adam Scott started with consecutive bogeys and went on to a 71.
Nitties, who appeared on the GOLF CHANNEL's "Big Break" series and finished second at q-school last fall, was 1 under through 14 holes. After seeing the scores, he figured he'd be in decent shape with one more birdie.
"The scores, they weren't that good, so it didn't put any pressure on me to do anything crazy," Nitties said. "I was thinking 2 under, I'll be happy with. It's just a solid day."
Nitties then knocked his approach within 5 feet at the 504-yard 15th, and 6 feet at the par-5 16th. After a 13-foot birdie at the 198-yard 17th -- his longest made putt of the day -- he closed with another 5-footer.
"It was not the best ball-striking round, but it was a smart round," Nitties said.
Nitties made the cut in seven of his first 14 tournaments. His best finish was a tie for fourth in the FBR Open at TPC Scottsdale, renowned as the biggest party stop on the TOUR. The HP Byron Nelson also is known for its lively atmosphere.
"There are a lot of good sights out here, but my best result was at one of the biggest party events of the PGA TOUR and no one thought I would do half decent in that," Nitties said. "I know when to put distractions and golf into two parts."
As for those special interests listed on his bio, Nitties describes it as "pretty brutally honest" and normal for a single 26-year-old.
"I love going to the movies. I love hanging out with mates and having a couple of drinks in bars and chasing girls," he said. "It's typical of a guy. I'm just the only one that actually says it and doesn't say I like hanging out and fishing, when I really do normal stuff."
Divots: Rookie Matt Bettencourt's clubs were stolen when someone smashed the window of his car outside a hotel Wednesday. His wedding ring and watch were in the stolen golf bag. With a set of clubs built at the course, the 2008 Nationwide Tour money champion shot an opening 71. ... Kevin Streelman, part of the group at 67, was already 4 under through eight holes despite a bogey. But he had three more bogeys after that. ... Vijay Singh, the world's No. 9 player and highest-ranked after Phil Mickelson's withdrawal, shot 70.
| Other notables at the HP Byron Nelson Championship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Thursday's Best |
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The 542-yard par-5 seventh hole was easiest with a Thursday scoring average of 4.484.
The 504-yard par-4 15th hole was toughest with a Thursday scoring average of 4.310.
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Defending champ Adam Scott nearly aced the 180-yard, par-3 17th with an 8-iron, hitting it to a foot. 
Ken Duke birdied his last four holes, including the difficult 15th, to get to 5 under and earn a share of the lead. INSIDE THE ROPES WITH THE PGA TOUR NETWORK
PGA TOUR Network correspondent Fred Albers offers these observations from Thursday's action. Listen to PGA TOUR Live coverage on XM 146/SIRIUS 209 or right here at PGATOUR.COM.
Father knows best. Ken Duke has struggled with his putting this year, but did some work last week with his father, Ray, who noticed his son was setting the putter behind the ball with the toe closed, which was causing him to pull the ball. Father and son worked on getting the putter square and the lesson seems to have worked. Duke had 26 putts in shooting an opening-round 65.
Fred Couples is set to join the Champions Tour this fall, but he has lost none of his distance and flexibility. Couples uncorked the longest drive of the day at the par-5 seventh hole. A blast of 360 yards left him 162 into the par 5. Couples hit it on the green and two-putted for birdie.
Mike Weir prepared for the HP Byron Nelson Championship by getting away, far away. Weir spent last week white water rafting with friends. He emerged from the canyon land of southern Utah with lots of energy that translated into an opening-round 66.
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