Love Battles Emotions, Takes Lead

Davis Love III, so shaken by an emotional service for Payne Stewart that he almost left, returned to take a one-stroke lead over Tiger Woods after the first day at the PGA Tour Championship in Houston.

Love made nine birdies in 27 holes for a seven-under-par 99 total. Later, he and Woods boarded a private plane for Orlando, Fla., and today’s memorial service for Stewart, who was among six people who died in a plane crash Monday.

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Russ Cochran, fighting to retain his PGA Tour card, shot an eight-under 64 to take the first-round lead in the Southern Farm Bureau Classic at Madison, Miss.

Cochran, 137th on the money list and needing a solid performance in his final event of the year to retain his playing privileges, responded with his best round of the year, a bogey-free effort that included birdies on five of his last seven holes.

Brad Bryant, a 22-year pro who is retiring after this week, and Chris DiMarco were a stroke back.