O’Hern in front in Reno

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August 5, 2011

Adam Scott, on top at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, isn’t the only Aussie leading a PGA Tournament. Nick O’Hern is another.

Adam Scott, leader at the WGC Bridge stone Invitational, isn’t the only Australian leading a US PGA Tournament. Nick O’Hern is in the same position – but in his case, he tops the leaderboard at the Reno-Tahoe Open in Nevada.

Playing against a field of PGA Tour members who didn’t qualify for this weekend’s WGC battle at Firestone Country Club, O’Hern fired a first round seven-under 65 on Thursday to lead by one from American Chris Riley in Reno.

Three more Americans, Blake Adams, Will MacKenzie and Briny Baird are a shot further back after opening with 67s.

O’Hern, who hit 15 greens in regulation and needed only 26 putts, said afterwards: “You can’t play much better than that.”

The 39-year-old left-hander, who has never won on the PGA Tour, made six of his seven birdies from inside 10 feet and was the only golfer not to card a bogey on the Jack Nicklaus-designed Montreux course here in Reno on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

“I played well last week at the Greenbrier but had a cold putter. It was nice to finally get the putter warmed up.”

The leading European in the chasing pack is Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal who fired a level par 72 and is tied for 47th.

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

65 Nick O’Hearn (Aus)

66 Chris Riley (USA)

67 Blake Adams (USA), Will MacKenzie (USA), Briny Baird (USA)

68 Steve Flesch (USA), Shaun Micheel (USA),Jay Williamson (USA), Rod Pampling (Aus), Matt Jones (Aus),Ben Martin (USA), Robert Garrigus (USA)

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