Irving, April 27:

Sean O’Hair shot a season-best 5-under 65 on Thursday in the EDS Byron Nelson Championship to take a one-stroke lead over defending champion Brett Wetterich and Anders Hansen after the first round.

Wetterich’s 66 included an eagle 3 on the 16th hole when he hit his approach within seven feet of the pin. His 20-foot birdie attempt for a share of the lead at the closing hole slid just left of the cup.

One of the things Wetterich treasured about his only US PGA Tour victory was the personal congratulation he got from Nelson at the 18th green after the final round. Wetterich was the last winner to have that privilege. Nelson, the champion golfer known as “Lord Byron” and in 1968 the first to have a PGA Tour event named after him, died September 26. He was 94.

“It is a little sad to not see Byron there. I really miss him,” Phil Mickelson said after his round of 69. Luke Donald, with his ninth consecutive Nelson round in the 60s, and Scott Verplank were among five players tied for fourth at 67. Another dozen players posted 68s.

Coming off four consecutive top-15 finishes, O’Hair got off to a good start with birdies on the opening two holes, the easier of the two courses used for the Nelson’s first two rounds. He finished with seven birdies and two bogeys, the last on the par-3 17th.

Before his last four tournaments, O’Hair started the season missing five of six cuts and tied for 56th at the Nissan Open. Mickelson, No 4 in the world ranking and highest-ranked player in the field, was 4 under in his first round since the US Masters before his only three bogeys came on the last four holes. Afterward, he didn’t want to discuss the swing changes he’s been working on with new instructor Butch Harmon.

Mickelson, No 7 Vijay Singh and No 11 Donald are the only three of the top 13 players in the world playing this week. Mickelson and Singh, who also had an opening 69, are past Nelson champions.