‘Boss of the Moss’ atop Buick

Roberts cards 7-under 64, claims one-stroke lead

? Loren Roberts had things rolling his way in the first round of the Buick Classic.

Roberts, the “Boss of the Moss” whose putting has carried him to seven PGA Tour titles, shot a 7-under 64 Thursday and took a one-stroke lead over Jerry Kelly, Michael Muehr and Bob Heintz.

“I just happened to have a great day with the putter,” said Roberts, who will be 47 on June 24. “I made an impossible chip on No. 17 and made a couple of long putts. I just got on a roll and hit it in the right spots.”

After playing the first four holes 1-over, he had nine birdies and a bogey in a 12-hole stretch on Westchester Country Club’s tree-lined West Course. On 17, he holed a 20-yard lob after hitting his second shot over the green.

“I love this golf course,” Roberts said. “To be honest, I don’t think we play enough courses like this. What I like about this style of course is that every player in the field has a chance. It’s just not stand up there and rip it every hole.”

Chris Smith and David Gossett shot 66s, and Retief Goosen, preparing for his U.S. Open title defense next week at Bethpage State Park, was three strokes back at 67 along with Stewart Cink, Steve Elkington, Robert Allenby, Jim Carter, Pat Perez, John Rollins and Craig Parry.

Defending champion Sergio Garcia and two-winner Ernie Els were in a group at 68 that included Fred Couples, Tom Lehman and Memorial champion Jim Furyk.