Pettersen, Mahan rally to tie Inkster, Weekley for 1st round lead at Charity Classic

Pettersen, Mahan tied for lead at Charity Classic

BARRINGTON, R.I. — Suzann Pettersen and Hunter Mahan made up two strokes on the last two holes and tied Juli Inkster and Boo Weekley for the lead at 10-under par after the first round of the CVS Caremark Charity Classic on Monday.

The teams shared the lead after opening 61s in the 10-team best-ball tournament involving PGA Tour, LPGA and Champions tour members at Rhode Island Country Club. The 36-hole event concludes Tuesday.

Pettersen and Mahan were 8-under with two holes remaining before the six-time LPGA Tour winner rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt at the 17th and Mahan made a 10-footer for birdie at the 18th to forge a tie.

“Suzann made a great bird on 17 and I had an easier one on 18,” Mahan said. “The greens were exceptional. I thought they would be softer but they were in perfect shape.

“It’s a great course to play on because you can make some birdies.”

Inkster and Weekley combined for six birdies in a back-nine 29. That score on the inward nine was matched by tournament co-founder Brad Faxon and Rickie Fowler, who finished in a five-way tie for third at 8-under.

“Boo got on a nice birdie run,” Inkster said of the four birdies Weekley made on the back nine. “Fortunately, we didn’t birdie the same holes, which was nice.

“When you can make those 15-footers like Boo did, it helps you keep the momentum. As the round progressed, I got my pompoms out.”

The teams of Bubba Watson, who was coming off his first PGA Tour victory at the Travelers Championship, and Camilo Villegas, Angela Stafford and Brett Quigley, Ricky Barnes and J.B. Holmes, and Billy Andrade and Bill Haas, were also 8-under.

Andrade recorded the only eagle of the round when he made a 12-foot putt on the 538-yard 11th hole.