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Golf
Cold nips at field's heels
Weather keeps Outback scores in check as David Eger takes a one-shot lead.
By BY BOB HARIG Times Staff Writer
Published February 17, 2007
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[Times photo:Daniel Wallace]
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Weather worsens as day wears on
Only one golfer who teed off in the cold afternoon managed to shoot par, Andy Bean. Pros Scott Simpson and Peter Jacobsen and actor/comedian Bill Murray were on their designated starting tee at 7:40 a.m., but who and where was the final member of this popular foursome. 7C
Be sure to bring a jacket or two
If the pros, amateurs and fans thought Friday was brisk, there's more where that came from. The forecast today is 38 degrees (feels like 28) and sunny at 7 a.m. with a high of 59 and winds to 9 mph.
LUTZ - They know how to do it right at the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am. Every amenity conceivable is on the grounds of the TPC Tampa Bay - save for a big, burning fireplace that would have been a huge hit during the opening round of the Champions Tour event.
And it would undoubtedly help today, too.
Friday was the kind of day to put another log on the fire and leave the clubs in the trunk. But the tournament went on, and as is usually the case in such conditions, those who excelled tried their best to rationalize that the windy, frigid conditions were the same for everyone.
And then there was eternally young 71-year-old Gary Player to put it all in perspective.
"In Scotland or Ireland, this would have been a beautiful day," he said.
But for the west coast of Florida in February, it was downright nasty, although the sun did appear by late morning to at least make an attempt at warding off the chill. Still, hats, scarves and mittens were as necessary as lob wedges and titanium drivers.
"The first thing you have to do is make sure you are dressed appropriately, that you had the proper layers of clothing on and that you could stay reasonably warm," said David Eger, 54, who shot 4-under-par 67 to lead by one. "It was hard keeping your hands warm or normal for probably the first nine holes. You do go out knowing that when the wind is blowing like it is, you're going to hit some shots that aren't to your liking."
Eger is a reinstated amateur who turned pro again in 2001, in time to join the 50-and-over tour, and has two victories. He managed to handle the conditions the best, making six birdies and two bogeys, including 3-under 33 on the back nine, to edge Tom Wargo. Jay Haas, Wayne Levi and John Harris were another shot back after 69, with Tom Watson, Loren Roberts and Curtis Strange in a group at 70. They were the only players to break par.
Tour newcomers Mark O'Meara and Nick Price each shot 74.
In the pro-am competition, the team of Scott Simpson and Bill Murray shot 8-under 63 to tie for the lead with Wargo and his amateur partner, John Mamoudis.
The temperature dropped into the low 40s early Friday morning and never climbed above 53 degrees. Throw in a 20 mph wind from the north and it made for a trying day - especially considering several of the toughest holes played into the breeze.
And while the sun helped, the conditions got more difficult in the afternoon, when no player broke par. Lakeland's Andy Bean was the only golfer from the afternoon wave to match par 71.
The conditions didn't seem to bother Wargo, 64, a four-time Champions Tour winner who has been playing the senior circuit since 1993. He owns a course in Centralia, Ill., and has seen his share of raw days.
"I don't mind this cold weather," he said. "I'm a cold-weather player to start with so it don't bother me at all. I kind of enjoy it a little bit rather than the hot weather. Bring it on. Bring that cold weather back.
"I know they're out there moaning about that cold weather. You try to use it to your advantage. Ain't no sense in getting upset and complaining about it because everybody's got to play in it. So you might as well try to use it to your advantage and bear down with it, because everybody is going to make some bogeys out there."
The stroke average was 74.5, the highest in the first round at the event since 1999. The eight who broke par were the fewest in the first round since 1996, when nobody did in similar blustery conditions.
Harris, a former U.S. Amateur champion, was asked if he had an advantage because he is from Minnesota.
"Even if you're used to it," he said, "it's still not fun."
Bob Harig can be reached at (727) 893-8806 or harig@sptimes.com.
[Last modified February 17, 2007, 01:22:51]
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