FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-7 J Bohn (US) -5 J Dufner (US), C Couch (US), J Senden (Aus), J Overton (US), G Owen (Eng) -4 D Duval (US), C Howell (US), T Merritt (US), K Sutherland (US), KJ Choi (Kor) Selected others: -2 J Rose (Eng)-1 B Davis (Eng) +1 Sergio Garcia (Spa)

Mansfield's Owen is still chasing a maiden win on the PGA Tour

England's Greg Owen was in a five-way tie for second after the first round of the New Orleans Classic on Thursday.

Florida resident Owen shot a five-under 67 to sit two shots behind American Jason Bohn.

Also at five under were Jason Dufner, Chris Couch, John Senden and Jeff Overton, while Sergio Garcia was in danger of missing the cut at one over.

England's Justin Rose ended two under with countryman Brian Davis one under as Ian Poulter withdrew injured.

The 34-year-old Poulter, who held a share of the halfway lead in the Masters before falling away to finish in a share of 10th, pulled out with a left knee injury.

"It's a shame to withdraw from New Orleans, injured my knee last week and needs a bit more time," Poulter said.

The world number six expects to return for the Players Championship at Sawgrass, Florida, from 6-9 May.

American Steve Stricker, the world number three, also withdrew with a right shoulder injury.

Owen had been level par after nine holes having started at the 10th, swapping two birdies for two bogeys. But he fired five birdies and no bogeys on his way home for his 67.

World number 23 Garcia teed off as the highest-ranked player in the field after the withdrawals of Poulter and Stricker, but the Spaniard is heading for a second straight missed cut after his one-over 73 featured three birdies, a bogey and two double bogeys.

Bohn went to the 18th needing a birdie to give him a course-record 63 but instead bogeyed after finding the water with his second shot.

"My horse has been running a little slow out of the gate. So it's kind of nice to get a little jump and it builds a little confidence," he said.

Davis is attempting to bounce back from the disappointment at missing out on a maiden PGA Tour win.

The 35-year-old Londoner called a penalty on himself during a sudden-death play-off with Jim Furyk at the Verizon Heritage tournament last weekend.

He was penalised two shots for striking a reed - deemed a loose impediment and therefore untouchable - on his backswing, effectively forfeiting the title to the American.

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