Love III, Furyk set pace
2006-03-24 08:09
Ponte Vedra Beach - Davis Love
III and Jim Furyk took charge of the Players Championship on
Thursday while a preoccupied Tiger Woods battled to a
first-round 72.
Former major winners Love and Furyk moved two shots clear on
seven-under-par 65, with Woods having returned to the TPC at
Sawgrass after visiting his sick father in California the day
before.
The pacesetting Americans produced blemish-free displays in
damp, overcast conditions at the Stadium Course.
Love reeled off four birdies on the front nine to set the
early pace before being caught by Furyk, who picked up strokes
on five of the last eight holes at the tournament dubbed the
fifth major.
Australia's Robert Allenby, who sank a 30-foot eagle putt at
the par-five 16th, returned a 67 to share third place with 2004
European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer and Spaniard Miguel
Angel Jimenez.
Twice US Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal and world
number two Vijay Singh were among a group of six on 68 while
world number three Retief Goosen opened with a 69.
Of the other big names, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and
2004 winner Adam Scott returned 70s to finish level with holder
Fred Funk. Ernie Els finished with a 72.
Approach play
The 41-year-old Love, winner here in 1992 and 2003, raced to
the turn in four-under 32, superb approach play setting up
birdies at the second, sixth, eighth and ninth.
The 1997 US PGA champion picked up further shots on 11, 12
and 16 to revive memories of the superb closing 64 which earned
him the 2003 title.
"When you've got a day like today, you have to shoot a good
score and not put yourself behind," Love told reporters.
"It's not a good course to catch up on. I was hitting it
well and hitting it close to the hole and I putted well all day.
"It's nice when you get a guy like Jim rolling the ball over
the edge or in the hole every time. You think: 'I can make some
putts, too.'
"Jim and I complemented each other really well."
World number one Woods, whose father Earl has been battling
prostate cancer since 1998, mixed five birdies with five bogeys
to finish seven strokes off the pace.
"It just didn't quite happen today for some reason," the
2001 champion said.
"My putting was erratic but I hit some good shots coming in.
At least I found something out there today.
"My father is trying to hang in there, which is a very
positive sign. He's fighting just like I'm trying to do out
here."