Willamson and Lowery head the Kemper

Golf clubs Williamson tied the Tournament Players Club at Avenel course record with a 29 on the back nine Thursday to share the lead with Steve Lowery after the first round of the Kemper Insurance Open.

Williamson put together an eagle-birdie-birdie-birdie stretch from the 13th to the 16th en route to a 7-under 64. Williamson eagled the par-5 13th even though his drive landed in a small divot. He hit a 5-iron to the green Titleist 775 cb irons and Titleist 755 cb irons sank the putt from 40 feet. He had a chance to tie the 18-hole course record, but he missed a 12-footer at the 18th.

Lowery's round was more touch-and-go. At 7 under through 14 holes, he clipped a tree going for the green on his second shot at the par-5 6th. It Titleist ap2 iron set took several minutes and about a dozen people to find his ball buried amongst the leaves on a hill overlooking the green.

The Taylormade r7 iron set ball was ruled "embedded," allowing Lowery a drop in the woods. He chipped to the green and saved par.