Golf
Two 65s lead PGA's Deere Classic
Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 12, 2003
SILVIS, Ill. - Jonathan Byrd, in his second year on the PGA Tour, and 1999 champion J.L. Lewis shot 6-under-par 65 Thursday and shared the first-round lead at the John Deere Classic.
Vijay Singh, third on the PGA Tour's money list this year, closed with eagle and birdie to finish at 66, tied with Chris Riley, who finished his round with a three-putt bogey.
"I look at these golf tournaments like marathons. You aren't going to win the first day," Riley said.
Eight players were two shots back, and six had 68 at the 7,193-yard Tournament Players Club at Deere Run, near the Quad Cities.
"I think my mind was clicking for me today more than anything. I never got rattled," said Lewis, who had six birdies.
Lewis, whose only career win came at the Deere Classic, also said he has overcome nagging rib and shoulder injuries that have hampered him.
"I've been inconsistent this year but some of that has been due to injury and some of it has been due to I've been inconsistent," said Lewis, who has four top-10 finishes and ranks 60th on the money list.
Byrd, who won the 2002 Buick Challenge as a rookie and is 64th on the money list, has three top-10 finishes this year but said he has struggled since his eighth-place finish at the Masters.
"When you're feeling mentally good and you're trusting your game and you're just kind of out there enjoying every shot and having fun, that's when things are good," said Byrd, who had seven birdies and one bogey.
Players observed a moment of silence shortly after play began in memory of the second anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. American flags were used on the flagsticks instead of the traditional yellow ones with numbers.
The tournament drew its best field after being moved back from its traditional July spot on the schedule. The tournament boasted 14 players totaling 20 major championships until 1995 U.S. Open winner Corey Pavin withdrew after eight holes because of a neck injury.
Several of the marquee names were within striking distance of the lead, including Justin Leonard (69) and leading money-winner Davis Love (70).
Defending champion J.P. Hayes also had 70, nine shots off his course-record opening round last year.
Tour commissioner Tim Finchem likes having new names on leaderboards this year, saying it adds to the PGA's list of recognizable players, which translates into more fans.
"People are talking about it . . . when people are talking about your sport, that's a good thing," Finchem said.
But that doesn't mean he's ready to put Tiger Woods out to pasture.
"To have the most recognizable individual in the world in athletics in your sport, you don't trade that for anything. But behind him . . . the more recognizable players we have, it's great, so that's why this year is terrific," Finchem said.
LANCOME TROPHY: Retief Goosen shot 8-under 63 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the European PGA Tour event in Saint-Nom-La-Bretfeche, France.
The 2001 U.S. Open champion failed to tie the course record because he bogeyed the final hole. Goosen won the Lancome Trophy in 2000.
Mikael Lundberg was second, and Simon Wakefield was third after 65.
Colin Montgomerie shot 68 and British Open champion Ben Curtis shot 69 to tie for 35th.
SENIOR AMATEUR: Kemp Richardson rallied from two holes down with three to play to tie and won USGA event in a one-hole playoff in Bristol, Va.
Richardson, 57, of Laguna Niguel, Calif., became the 13th player to win the title a second time.
He won the 16th and 18th holes to tie Frank Abbott of Napa, Calif., forcing them to extra holes. He won on the par-3 15th when Abbott conceded a par putt after failing to make a 45-footer to tie.
SENIOR WOMEN'S AMATEUR: Marlene Streit, 69, became theUSGA's oldest national champion, needing 47 holes over her final two matches to win in Austin, Texas.
The bid of Carol Semple Thompson of Sewickley, Pa., for her fifth straight title ended in the semifinals when Nancy Fitzgerald won 1-up. Streit of Toronto defeated Fitzgerald of Carmel, Ind., in the 23-hole championship match with par on the fifth extra hole.
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