DULUTH, Ga. - The tee shots found the fairway, the approach shots nestled close to the hole and the putts rolled smoothly.
For one day, at least, Jose Maria Olazabal was back on his game.
The two-time Masters champion shot 7-under 65 Thursday to tie rookie Roger Tambellini for the lead after a blustery first round at the BellSouth Classic. They were one ahead of Craig Bowden, two in front of Tim Petrovic and Shaun Micheel, last year's PGA Championship winner.
In his first seven events this season, Olazabal missed three cuts and withdrew from the FBR Open. His best finish was a tie for 40th at Bay Hill, and he missed the cut at the Players Championship.
"It's been a struggle," Olazabal said. "I've been going through a tough spell. One day I might have a good round, and then the following day I can't follow that with another round. It has been frustrating, but all I can do is keep on trying."
Unlike most of his competitors at next week's Masters, Olazabal is focused on this tournament.
"At the moment I'm trying to do the best I can this week," he said. "I know that tomorrow is a different day. I have to start from scratch."
Adam Scott, who hung on to win the Players Championship Sunday, was three shots back in a group that included defending BellSouth champ Ben Crane. Phil Mickelson was one more behind after 69.
EUROPEAN PGA: Peter Lawrie shot 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead on a windy day at the Algarve Open in Portimao, Portugal. Lawrie was last year's rookie of the year. Seven players were tied for second, among them Christopher Hanell, who won the Madeira Island Open on Sunday.
LPGA TOUR: The Samsung World Championship, which has been played on five continents in its 23-year history, will be at Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, Calif., on Oct. 14-17. The 72-hole tournament features 20 of the world's top players.
