HOUSTON: Australia’s Cameron Percy fired five-under

67 on Thursday to seize a share of the first-round lead at the Houston Open, alongside American Kevin Stadler.

Vaughn Taylor and James Driscoll were

one shot back, along with Kevin Sutherland and Anthony Kim. Percy had five birdies with no bogeys in his round.

A group on 69 included Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, England’s Lee Westwood and American Phil Mickelson, who are among the marquee players using the tournament on the Tournament Course at Redstone as a last tuneup for next week’s Masters. South Africa’s Ernie Els, coming off consecutive victories at Doral and Bay Hill, opened with 70, while former Masters champion Fred Couples, who has won three straight starts on the Champions Tour carded a 71.