Crane leads, Appleby rises at PGA St Jude

American Ben Crane remained in the lead after Friday morning’s completion of the opening round of the storm-struck PGA St. Jude Classic.

Crane, whose round on Thursday was interrupted by a 3 1/2-hour storm delay, fired a seven-under par 63 to seize the clubhouse lead before darkness struck with 60 players forced to finish their first round Friday.

US standout Zach Johnson completed a round of 64 to stand second when the second round began while Davis Love finished a round of 65 Friday to join fellow Americans Peter Malnati and Kevin Kisner and Australian Stuart Appleby in sharing third.

Appleby birdied his only remaining first-round hole Friday to crack the top five on the leaderboard.

South African Retief Goosen, a two-time US Open champion gearing up for next week’s US Open at Pinehurst, opened on 66 along with Americans J.J. Henry and Joe Durant.

American Billy Horschel, who was five-under with two holes to finish, took a double bogey on nine, his final hole Friday morning, to fall back.

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