Stuard sets early pace in rainy New Orleans (Reuters)

(Reuters) - American journeyman Brian Stuard took advantage of rain-softened conditions with a red-hot putter to charge into an early one-shot lead in the weather-hit opening round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Thursday.

Seeking his first PGA Tour victory, Stuard had just 21 putts as he fired a flawless eight-under-par 64 at the TPC Louisiana, finishing a stroke in front of veteran South African Retief Goosen.

Australian Geoff Ogilvy and Americans J.J. Henry, Derek Ernst, Patrick Rodgers and Charles Howell III carded 67s on a day when half the field did not complete the opening round after almost five hours of play was wiped out by heavy thunderstorms.

"It was just one of those days…