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 Seeking his first PGA Tour victory, Stuard had just 21 putts as he
fired a flawless eight-under-par 64 at the TPC Louisiana, finishing
a stroke in front of veteran South African Retief Goosen.
Australian Geoff Ogilvy and Americans J.J. Henry, Derek Ernst,
Patrick Rodgers and Charles Howell III carded 67s on a day when half
the field did not complete the opening round after almost five hours
of play was wiped out by heavy thunderstorms.
"It was just one of those days where it seemed like I was really
reading the putts well and luckily they were going in," Stuard told
Golf Channel, before saying he had benefited from a putter he picked
up only last week in San Antonio.
 "I had a good feel for it, I putted well with it last week and it
continued over today," said the 33-year-old, who has twice been a
runner-up on the PGA Tour but has mainly struggled on the U.S.
circuit this season.
"I feel it's getting closer," Stuard said of his form. "I've been
working hard at it and just needed to see some results, and today it
was a good one."
Australian world number one Jason Day raced to the turn in
five-under 31 but dropped four shots on his back nine on the way to
a 69, bogeying his last two holes after play had resumed following
the lengthy weather suspension.
"A little frustrated," Day said of his bogey-bogey finish, "but I'm
looking forward to tomorrow. I've just got to manage myself out
there.
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"Obviously this is going to be a bit of a tough week with the
stop-and-start rounds. I might be able to sneak in nine holes
tomorrow and then play 27 on Saturday. You've just got to try and
stay positive and keep moving forward."
England's world number 10 Justin Rose, who clinched last year's
Zurich Classic of New Orleans by one shot, was among the late
starters on Thursday who will have to complete the opening round on
Friday.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Andrew
Both)
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