Slick Sabbatini secures share of the lead at Turning Stone

RORY Sabbatini hit all 18 greens in regulation for the second time in two months and shot a seven-under 65 that gave him a share of the lead with Omar Uresti at the rain-delayed Turning Stone Resort Championship in New York state.

The 34-year-old South African and Uresti both had seven birdies without a bogey and were one stroke in front of Brad Faxon, Brian Davis, Steve Elkington and Alex Cejka. Despite shooting his best round since a 63 at the season-opening SBS Championship, Sabbatini needed 30 putts, five more than Uresti. "It's not often you can come off the golf course and jokingly say you should have birdied them all." said Sabbatini, who was an alternate for last month's Open at St. Andrews but did not play. "But I did."

John Mallinger, Chris Couch, Jonathan Byrd, Michael Bradley, Jason Dufner and Tim Wilkinson, who had to qualify, were level at 67. Because of a weather delay of nearly three hours, 24 players did not complete the first round.

Among those who did not finish and were to complete the opening round yesterday were Chris Tidland, who was at six under with two holes to play, and Steve Wheatcroft, who was at five under after 16 holes. Fifteen-year-old Gavin Hall finished at six-over 78 in his PGA Tour debut. Hall is bidding to become the second-youngest player in PGA Tour history to make the cut in a tournament. The rain softened the Atunyote Golf Club layout just enough to allow players to aim at the pins on what turned into a sunny day with a steady wind.