NBC analyst says "you just wish you knew what caused it" after taking Champions lead.
By BOB HARIG
Published February 14, 2004
NAPLES - Gary Koch couldn't help but mock himself. As a golf analyst for NBC-TV, he has on more than a few occasions mentioned to viewers that following a very low round with a good one is quite difficult.
Today, for one of the few times in his Champions Tour career, Koch will experience that feeling for himself.
Koch shot a career-best 10-under-par 62 on Friday during the first round of the ACE Group Classic at the Club at Twin-Eagles to take a one-stroke lead over Lonnie Nielson.
It was the first time Koch, 51, had sole possession of the lead in a tournament since 1990, when he led after two rounds of the USF&G Classic in New Orleans on the PGA Tour.
"I wish this day would never end," Koch said. "I certainly had no inclination that I would play as well as that."
Koch had two eagles, seven birdies and a bogey. He had a back-nine 28, one short of the Champions tour record. All of his back-nine birdie putts were less than 10 feet and he holed a 50-foot bunker shot for eagle at the 17th hole.
"It's one of those things, you hear about getting in the zone," Koch said. "Guys describe it. You just wish you knew what caused it and how to do it more often. It was one of those runs where it felt easy, it felt natural. I was not nervous at any point in time, which is unbelievable. I was hitting one shot at a time, which we always say."
Koch, who lives in Tampa, has been unable to say that very often since joining the Champions Tour last year.
A six-time winner on the PGA Tour, Koch figured to be a frequent contender on the 50-and-older tour. But his best finish was a tie for 13th at the Kroger Classic. He had just seven top-25 finishes in 19 events and earned $178,321 to rank 73rd on the money list.
In fact, had the Champions Tour not changed its exemption rules for the career victory category to include players through age 51, Koch would not have been fully exempt this season.
"I was certainly disappointed," Koch said. "It was inconsistency. I played some good rounds. And I know when I play to my ability, I can compete out here. I don't know if it was a combination of trying to do two jobs, or not having competed full time for 12 years. I have some theories. I'm trying to stay patient."
Koch, who grew up in Tampa and played at the University of Florida, began his television career in 1990 at ESPN. He did what was then called the Senior PGA Tour for several years before moving on to NBC, where he now does 13 or 14 events a year, including the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup.
After playing next week's Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am, Koch has a week off, then five straight weeks of work for NBC.
"I'm just trying to be more consistent in everything I do, as far as my preparation," he said. "I'm trying to do the same thing day after day after day. The more I can do that, the better I'll be."
Though he shot a TwinEagles course record, Koch didn't give himself such breathing room on a day perfect for scoring. There were 25 rounds in the 60s and 46 players broke par.
"There were scoring conditions out there," said Hale Irwin, who was tied for third with Larry Nelson after shooting 65. "I don't remember playing here with no wind."
Koch doesn't remember playing from out front. It's been a long time since he's been in contention and, of course, it's always difficult to follow a low round with a good round, as Koch the TV analyst has said.
"I wish I knew (why)," Koch said. "I've given my explanation on TV for what I think it is. Your expectations are probably higher. Inevitably you get out there and no matter how disciplined you are, your mind starts to think, "Yesterday at this point, I was 6 under.' You're not. And you start trying too hard.
"Now, obviously, the key is to come back and play well."
