Defending champion Nelson one shot back
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (April 20) -- Stewart Ginn, Jose Maria Canizares and Hugh Baiocchi shot 4-under 68s on Friday to share the first-round lead in the Las Vegas Senior Classic.
Ginn birdied four of his first 10 holes in the breezy conditions and finished with eight straight pars on the TPC at Summerlin. Defending champion Larry Nelson was a stroke back along with Jerry McGee and 1999 winner Vicente Fernandez.
"It was tough to pick a club on a few holes because of the wind," said Ginn, who hit 15 of 18 greens. "A lot of the holes, there were side winds. It was critical you hit in the right spot on the greens. Otherwise, it was a nightmare."
The wind gusted to 25 mph, making it difficult for the players to gauge distances. The 68s are the highest scores to lead the tournament since 1992 at Desert Inn. There were only six rounds in the 60s compared to 24 in last year's first round.
Canizares, fighting a cold, matched Ginn with a bogey-free round. Canizares' best putt came on the par-3 fifth, when he rolled in a downhill 35-footer for birdie.
Nelson, who set a tournament record of 19-under 197 last year, struggled late in the round.
"It was a very difficult day, but I made some putts, which kept me in it," he said. "I made three bogeys, but making six birdies today is pretty good, too. Making three bogeys and still being close to the lead, I feel I got by with some not-so-good play on the back nine."
Hale Irwin, a two-time champion in Las Vegas, shot a 71 to stretch his tour-best streak of par or better to 14 rounds. He is 39 under during the run.
Jim Colbert, who owns a home on the course and has won the event twice, shot a 75.
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