Golf : Mahaffey, Two Rookies Share First-Round Boston Lead at 65

John Mahaffey and rookies Brad Fabel and Steve Elkington shot six-under-par 65s Thursday to share the first-round lead in the $400,000 Bank of Boston tournament on the Pleasant Valley Country Club course at Sutton, Mass.

Leonard Thompson and former New England amateur champion Jim Hallet are tied for fourth at 66.

Fabel, whose best previous finish was a tie for third in the Quad Cities Open, saved par on the third hole, chipping from behind the green and sinking an eight-footer. He birdied the next two holes.

Fabel delivered consecutive birdies at Nos. 11 and 12. He went on to sink a 25-footer at No. 15 and a 20-footer at No. 17 to go six under par.

Elkington, playing in just his 11th PGA Tour event and his sixth as a pro, went two under par on the front side, then made four birdies coming home.

“I like the course, but it’s not what I’m more used to,” said the Australian who just completed four years at the University of Houston.

Mahaffey managed to survive his first hole, the 10th. After missing the green by 30 yards, he pitched his ball over the pin to the fringe and chipped in a 12-footer for a par.