American Jason Bohn wielded a red-hot putter to charge two shots clear in the New Orleans Classic first round in Avondale, Louisiana, Thursday with former world No. 1 David Duval three off the pace. In pursuit of his second PGA Tour title, Bohn recorded four birdies in five holes around the turn on the way to a superb seven-under-par 65 at the TPC Louisiana. His only blemish on a relatively calm morning came at the par-five last where he tried to reach the green in two only to end up in water with his second shot. However, the 36-year-old shrugged off his bogey after ending the day two ahead of fellow Americans Jason Dufner, Chris Couch and Jeff Overton, Australia's John Senden and Briton Greg Owen. Bohn, whose only PGA Tour victory came at the 2005 B.C. Open, tried to fade a three-iron from 220 yards with his second shot on 18. Fellow American Duval was in upbeat mood after carding a flawless, four-birdie 68. “I hit the ball pretty well,” said the 38-year-old after finishing level with compatriots Charles Howell III, Troy Merritt and Kevin Sutherland and South Korean KJ Choi, the 2002 champion. Duval, who held the top ranking in 1999, plummeted to 882nd after his 2001 British Open win amid injuries and personal trauma but has since clawed his way back to 118. Last year's winner Jerry Kelly of the US opened with a 71 at the TPC Louisiana while Spaniard Sergio Garcia returned a 73 and Canadian left-hander Mike Weir a 76. Jaidee, Goya lead Ballantine's In South Korea, defending champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand joined Argentina's Tano Goya at the top of the leaderboard at a fog-disrupted Ballantine's Championship Friday. Jaidee shot a 5-under 67 in his second round to stand at 8-under for the tournament at Pinx Golf Club. He is joined by Goya, who carded a 70 after completing his first round earlier in the day with a 66. Goaya birdied the final three holes in his morning round to give him momentum going into the afternoon session. The third and final round will be played Sunday, with two-thirds of the field having to complete their second rounds by Saturday afternoon. They include first round leader Marcus Fraser of Australia, who is one stroke behind of co-leaders, along with third-ranked Ernie Els and American Anthony Kim, who are in a group sharing 11th place on 4-under. Fellow Australian Brett Rumford is tied with Fraser after completing his second round late Friday with a 70 that included three birdies and one bogey.
