BETHESDA, Md. — Steve Marino used to consider it a treat the few times he played Congressional as a teenager. It was a thrill Thursday to play bogey-free in the first round of the AT&T National and shoot a 5-under-par 65 for a one-shot lead.
Marino, who grew up a half-hour away in Fairfax, Va., birdied three of his opening four holes, never had a par putt longer than 5 feet and finished off his round with an 8-foot birdie to be in the lead after any round for only the second time in his career.
“I played a bunch of junior golf growing up here, so it feels great to get off to this good start,” Marino said. “I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.”
Jeff Overton and Frank Lickliter were in second place after firing 66s.
Rod Pampling and Bob Estes also were at 66, with a large group at 67 that included Anthony Kim, Stuart Appleby and Notah Begay III. Defending champion K.J. Choi shot a 68.
Thursday’s attendance was 17,000, which was 1,345 fewer than last year when the AT&T National made its debut.
Fisher leads European Open.
Ross Fisher had 10 birdies for a course-record 9-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead over Graeme McDowell and David Frost after the first round of the European Open in Ash, England.
Tour targets treys for testing
In the 237 times Charles Howell III has teed it up on the PGA Tour, he never had a round end like Thursday at the AT&T National in Bethesda, Md. After signing for an even-par 70, he was handed a pink slip.
Howell, left, was among the first players chosen for testing under the tour’s Anti- Doping Program that went into effect this week.
“I hope Gatorade Tiger passes the test,” Howell said. “Because I put two bottles in me.”
Davis Love III also was tested. The tour does not disclose who gets tested, although Howell figured he was not the first.
“They have a sink to wash your hands, and there were a half-dozen towels piled up in the corner,” he said.
The Associated Press
