HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — With a nerve-racking and disappointing Masters debut behind him, Vaughn Taylor relaxed and played his best round of the year.
Taylor, who grew up in Augusta, Ga., shot an 8-under 63 to take the lead after the first round of the Verizon Heritage on Thursday.
A week ago, Taylor couldn't make a move around his hometown without someone he knew ready with a comment, question or request. He was edgy and lost focus.
"My phone was ringing off the hook," he said. "You are asked to do a lot of things . . . and you feel bad because you just can't do it."
The attention proved too much for Taylor to handle. He shot a 75-74 at Augusta National and missed the cut.
Instead of letting the disappointment drag down his slumping season — Taylor had only broken 70 once in his previous 12 rounds coming in — the 30-year-old pushed on to Harbour Town Golf Links and found the play he'd hoped to have at the Masters.
"I came in this week and it just feels easy," Taylor said.
Taylor stood a stroke ahead of Jim Furyk's 64 and two in front of Tom Pernice Jr., Billy Mayfair and Duffy Waldorf, tied at 65.
Ernie Els was the only one of golf's "Big Five" — Masters champion Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen are the others — competing at Harbour Town after last week's chase for the green jacket. Els' uneven round of 71 included three straight bogeys on the 17th, 18th and first holes, and an eagle three on the second hole.
DIVOTS: Jay Haas extended his tournament record to 30 starts. That's three in front of Lanny Wadkins, who played at Harbour Town for 27 years. Masters runner-up Tim Clark couldn't bring his Augusta touch here, shooting a 1-over 72. John Daly, who came in 181st in driving accuracy, was a perfect 14-of-14 on fairways hit during his opening 70.