Home comforts help American Morgan set Oak Tree pace

HOUSTON, May 26 (Reuters) Making the most of home advantage, Gil Morgan fired a five-under-par 66 to grab a one-shot lead in the Senior PGA Championship first round in Edmond, Oklahoma yesterday.

The 59-year-old, who lives a short walk from Oak Tree Golf Club, rattled up six birdies and a bogey in searing heat to end the day a stroke ahead of playing partner Peter Jacobsen.

Tom Watson, the 2001 champion, was a further shot back on a high-quality leaderboard in a tie for third with fellow Americans Loren Roberts and Jay Haas.

''It's the best round I've ever played here, in competition at least,'' Morgan told reporters.

''I had been practising a little bit on the golf course and it was a situation where I felt like I was playing really well.

All in all, it was a pretty good round.

''And to have the hometown crowd pulling for you is obviously a plus. It's always great to have the fans and friends and stuff kind of rooting you on.

''The golf course is in great shape and the putting surfaces are tremendously good. I thought there might be some low scores today.'' Roberts, chasing a second consecutive major title following his victory at The Tradition last August, plans to use a different driver in today's second round.

''I scored well today but I hit the ball rather poorly,'' he said after carding a 68 that included six birdies with three bogeys. ''I don't think I hit more than about three or four fairways off the tee but I made some good putts.

''My putter saved me today. I made a couple of good up-and-downs and I made some birdies when I got it on the green.

''I'm going to go try to pull another driver out of the trunk of my car and try it and see if it's any better,'' added Roberts, who leads the 2006 Champions Tour money list with 1,074,520 dollars after winning his first three events.

Twice U S Open winner Curtis Strange returned a 68 to share sixth place while defending champion Mike Reid opened with a 71.

REUTERS DH RN0748