Cejka fires 64 to lead at Heritage

Alex Cejka wants to stay healthy this season. Playing his best golf wouldn't hurt, either.

Cejka, who missed more than three months last year because of neck surgery, shot his best round in nearly two years, a 7-under 64, to take a one-stroke lead at the Verizon Heritage on Thursday at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

His bogey-free performance was capped by a 47-foot putt for birdie on the difficult, wind-swept 17th hole. That left Cejka with his first first-round lead since 2006, a shot ahead of two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen and two in front of last year's Masters winner, Trevor Immelman.

Janzen's round of 70 featured an ace on the 17th hole.

Two-time defending champ Boo Weekley nearly shot himself out of the tournament early on. He made three bogeys and a double bogey when he four-putted the simple par-4 9th from 14 feet away.

However, Weekley rebounded with three birdies coming in to finish 1-under, eight shots back.

Many of the top players passed on Harbour Town, including Immelman's successor as Masters champion, Angel Cabrera.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson did not tee it up, either. Only six of the world's top 20 took part.

Champions Tour

Larry Nelson shot a 6-under 65 to take a one-shot lead over Nick Price after the first round of the Outback Pro-Am in Lutz, Fla.

Mark McNulty and Mike McCullough had 67s, while Jay Haas shot a 68.

-- The Associated Press