FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD (US unless stated):
-5 K Stadler, C Percy (Aus) -4 J Driscoll, V Taylor, K Sutherland, A Kim
-3 P Harrington (Ire), L Westwood (Eng), P Mickelson, J Leonard, A Scott (Aus), B Molder, M Kuchar, N Thompson, O Uresti
Selected others:-2 J Rose (Eng), E Els (SA), M Laird (Sco) +1 L Donald (Eng), R McIlroy (NI)
 Westwood has not won in America since 1998
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England's Lee Westwood and Ireland's Padraig Harrington are just two shots off the lead after the first round of the Houston Open in Humble.
The pair are on three under, two behind co-leaders Kevin Stadler and Cameron Percy while American Anthony Kim is in the group on four under.
Phil Mickelson is on three under, while Justin Rose, Martin Laird and Ernie Els are a shot further back.
Defending champion Paul Casey withdrew from the field due to injury.
The world number six hurt his shoulder and neck in the build-up to the Redstone Golf Club event in Texas.
And he decided to miss the tournament rather than risk aggravating his injuries further, opting to rest ahead of the Masters at Augusta, which starts next week.
Westwood has not won on American soil since 1998 and says he is keen to balance his preparations for next week's Masters with his chase for victory in Houston.
"The Houston Open is a big title to win," said the 37-year-old. "Good champions. I've never won it.
"My main priority this week is to do well in this tournament, but at the same time a good warm-up for the next week.
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I wasn't feeling on top of my game today
Padraig Harrington
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"The speed of the greens are similar and it gives you a test with some shots we might have next week."
Harrington was the pick of the early European starters, the three-time major winner carding a round of five-birdies and two-bogeys.
The Dubliner admitted his round had been indifferent up until the 14th hole, when he carded three successive birdies, before dropping his second shot on the 488-yard, par-four 18th.
"I'm pleased enough with the score," he said. "I didn't hit it very well on the range before I went out and I was a little bit conservative all the way around.
"I was never quite sure of myself. I was happy to play the golf I played. I made the most of my opportunities when they came around.
"I got a nice birdie run on the back nine, three in a row got me into the tournament.
"I was not quite confident enough how I was hitting to it play the tough hole like the last. I managed to drop a shot by being very conservative off the tee.
"I really went from nowhere to a good round, and obviously 17, 18, especially 18 is a hard hole. I wasn't feeling on top of my game today. It was kind of hard there."
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606: DEBATE
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Stadler had carded a bogey-free round until the 18th hole, when he missed a 16-foot putt for par, while Australian Percy claimed five birdies.
Americans Vaughn Taylor and James Driscoll, who played alongside Stadler, are for second on four under alongside compatriots Kevin Sutherland and Kim.
England's Justin Rose finished a shot behind Ryder Cup team-mate Harrington with a two-under round of 70, while defending Masters champion Angel Cabrera carded a 71.
Luke Donald and Simon Dyson finished on one over while Northern Ireland's Rory McIlory had a card showing three birdies, three bogeys and double bogey to end up on two over.
England's Greg Owen started well with two birdies in his opening three holes but hit seven bogeys and one double bogey in his remaining 15 holes before withdrawing due to illness.
Meanwhile, 2000 Masters champion Vijay Singh withdrew halfway through his first round, aggravating a back injury.
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