Allenby plucks one-shot lead in the wind

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida – Robert Allenby shot a 4-under 66 to take a one-shot lead in the opening round of the Honda Classic, where the wind blew flags straight and the only solace for players was receptive greens on Thursday.

He had a tap-in on the par-4 ninth – his final hole – to break away from what was an eight-way tie for the lead.

Allenby missed a 2 1/2-footer on the previous hole, so he left nothing to chance on the last, hitting a 6-iron to 6 inches.

“I just sort of played within myself, took one or two clubs more when it was into the wind, tried not to force it and just tried to feel my way around the golf course,” said Allenby, who lives just a couple miles (kilometers) from PGA National and finished tied for fourth and tied for fifth in the last two years there.

By the time darkness suspended play, six players – Charlie Wi, Jeff Overton, Angel Cabrera, Stewart Cink, Will Mackenzie and Sergio Garcia – all were one shot behind Allenby.

Defending champion Ernie Els shot 73. (AP)