Love III, Leonard, Glover share first round lead at Verizon Heritage

The Verizon Heritage is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and after Thursday's opening round the tournament's most celebrated champion is atop the leaderboard.

Davis Love III, who had his streak of competing in 70 consecutive major championships end last week when he failed to make the field for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, got off to his best start of the '08 season at one of his favorite events on the PGA TOUR. The five-time Heritage champion posted a 5-under-par 67 which included five birdies and no bogies. 

Love III is joined by former British Open champion and 1999 Ryder Cup hero Justin Leonard and local favorite Lucas Glover, who played collegiately at Clemson University.

Leonard is also a past champion in Hilton Head, claiming the Heritage title in 2002. His opening round 66 is his best start ever at the event.

Glover opened with a sub-70 score for the first time in his six starts at the Heritage. His previous best start was a 1-under 70 in 2006 - the only other time he broke par in an opening round. He has now held at least a share of the 18-hole lead four times during his TOUR career, including most recently the 2006 PGA Championship.