SUNRIVER, Ore. — Fred Funk was finished with his round at the Jeld-Wen Tradition when a nearby radio squawked with the news that Brad Bryant had just shot a 10-under-par 62.
“OK. Game is on,” Funk said. “We know who we’re chasing now.”
Bryant matched a tournament record with his first-round play at Crosswater Golf Club. He had 11 birdies and one bogey for a three-shot lead Thursday in the fourth of five majors this year on the Champions Tour.
“Just played really great,” Bryant said. “Definitely one of my top five ball-striking rounds in my life.”
Loren Roberts shot a 65, while Tom Watson and Tom Lehman had 67s. Funk, the defending champion, was in a group at 4-under.
Greg Norman withdrew because of back spasms.
Bryant jokingly said he wants to keep everything exactly the same for the next three days.
“I hope nothing changes. I don’t even want to change my socks or my underwear,” he said.
• With thunder booming, Chez Reavie rushed to hit the 15-foot putt that would have left him alone atop the Wyndham Championship leaderboard. Once he missed, he had ample time to think about his gimme in Greensboro, N.C.
After a long weather delay, Reavie returned to the green and tapped in a 1-footer to close out a 64. He wound up sharing the early lead with former champion Brandt Snedeker and Ryan Moore during a suspended first round of the PGA Tour’s final event before the playoffs.
• Paul McGinley and Gary Orr used easier early conditions to shoot opening 6-under 64s and tie for the lead at the KLM Open in Zandvoort, Netherlands.
Utes lose Misi to back injury
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah defensive end Koa Misi is out indefinitely with a back injury.
Coach Kyle Whittingham said Misi is out until further notice, but would not elaborate on the injury. Misi is one of seven returning starters on Utah’s defense and was third on the team in tackles last season with 68, including three sacks.
• USC defensive lineman Armond Armstead is likely to be out six weeks after breaking his left foot in a morning practice.
• Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw and a female student identified as his girlfriend were free on bond after being arrested on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence and third-degree harassment in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Coach Nick Saban said Upshaw would not be suspended for the opener Sept. 5 against Virginia Tech.
Footnotes.
Shalrie Joseph sent a slow rolling shot into the net in the 21st minute and the New England Revolution hung on for a 1-0 road win against the Seattle Sounders.
• Angel McCoughtry scored a career-high 34 points and the Atlanta Dream beat the visiting San Antonio Silver Stars 93-87 in WNBA play.
• The Monarchs rallied in the closing minutes to beat the Indiana Fever 67-62 in Sacramento, Calif.
• The Anaheim Ducks re-signed defenseman Brett Festerling to a two-year contract through the 2010-11 season.
• Forward Jeff Cowan signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres. The Associated Press
