In-form Glover in tie for ISCO Championship lead

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Lucas Glover is in a four-way tie for the Isco Championship lead after his near miss last week.
Lucas Glover is in a four-way tie for the Isco Championship lead after his near miss last week.

Lucas Glover birdied the final two holes for a seven-under 63 and a share of the first-round lead in the ISCO Championship.

Steven Fisk, Stephan Jaeger and Troy Merritt joined Glover atop the leaderboard at Hurstbourne Country Club on Thursday. Played opposite the Scottish Open, the event is sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the European tour.

Glover made an 11-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th, then hit a 163-yard shot to three feet on the par-4 18th to cap his afternoon round. He also opened with a 63 last week en route to a third-place finish in the John Deere Classic.

“Very similar to last week, the first couple days, hit it nice, made some putts and no bogeys. Always a good way to start,” the 46-year-old Glover said.

“First time here at this course. Absolutely love it. Wish we played more like it.”

Pontus Nyholm and Chan Kim were a stroke back.

“It was pretty easy this morning – no wind and pretty soft greens,” Nyholm said.

“The course is challenging in itself, but I felt like sort of the hardest part about this course is when it gets firm, just the angles get super important.”

Patton Kizzire was at 65 with Adam Svensson, Jeffrey Kang, Jeong Weon Ko, Aaron Wise and Ben James.

Max Homa opened with a 67. He was second last week at the John Deere Classic. Jackson Koivun also made 67 after missing the cut last week in his professional debut.

Defending champion William Mouw shot 68.

Josiah Gilbert, the 21-year-old from Brisbane, had an even-par round while compatriot David Micheluzzi shot a 73.

The winner will get into the PGA Championship but not the Masters next year.

AP