SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — Former PGA Championship winner Shaun Micheel is hoping a new putter will help end a nine-year winless drought after a 5-under 67 Thursday at the 100th Spanish Open.
Micheel, ranked 608th, led by one stroke after eight birdies and three bogeys, including one on the last hole of the Real de Golf de Sevilla course.
Spain’s Jorge Capillo and the English pair of Robert Rock and Danny Willett were tied with 68s.
The Memphis-based Micheel is competing on the European Tour under a 10-year exemption after winning the 2003 PGA Championship, his last victory.
He’s balancing invitations on the U.S. PGA Tour in an effort to regain full membership after forfeiting full playing rights at the end of last year.
