San Diego Open : Oosterhuis Shoots 64, Ties Hallberg for Lead

Seven birdies in eight holes produced a 64 for Englishman Peter Oosterhuis Friday and gave him a tie for the lead after 36 holes of the Isuzu-Andy Williams San Diego Open at Torrey Pines.

But, impressive as Oosterhuis’ Friday round was, Gary Hallberg’s two-day performance was equal to the challenge. Hallberg followed his opening-round 64 with a 67 on the South Course Friday, moving 13-under par for a share of the lead with Oosterhuis.

Tied for third, a stroke back, were Craig Stadler, Dan Pohl and Woody Blackburn.

Once again, par took a beating. The cut was at 139, five-under par, and 74 players made it. A PGA spokesman could not remember the last five-under cut.

Among those missing the cut were Tom Watson at 140, Gil Morgan and Ray Floyd at 141, and Mark O’Meara at 142. O’Meara was seeking his third straight victory.

Hallberg might well be seeking his third straight win here if not for a playoff loss to Gary Koch last year. Nine of his last 10 rounds here have been under 70, including all four when he won in 1983.

Hallberg, however, had to overcome his version of adversity to get his share of the lead Friday.

He forgot his hat.

“I was running late, and I didn’t have my hat,” he said. “I tried to calm down, but I went right out and bogeyed the first hole and didn’t make a birdie until the eighth hole.”

By the eighth hole, of course, he had his hat. A friend had gotten it for him.

“You don’t need to do that,” Hallberg told his friend.

“No problem,” the friend said. “I’ve seen you play without it.”

It is not the typical golf hat, to be sure. It is a Panama that looks like a pith helmet with a crease in the crown. In Hallberg’s mind, his chapeau helps keep him together.

When he first wore it last year at Hartford, he took considerable heat on the putting green.

“Look at that hat ,” they hooted, according to Hallberg. “Who do you think you are? Indiana Jones?”

Hallberg shoved the hat more firmly onto his head and went out and finished third.

“It made me more determined to beat them,” he said. “Before, I never really tried to beat anybody. I’d go out and knock it around and be happy for the guy who won and the guys who beat me. I’m kind of in my own world, and it helps keep me going.”

It did Friday. Once his hat was firmly in place, his game followed. He had three birdies and an eagle on the back nine. “I was like two different guys,” he said. “The front nine I was out of control, and the back I played very, very well.”

Things went well for Oosterhuis from the start. He played the North Course, back nine first, and shot a 30 for his first nine holes.

“I remember standing over a six-foot putt on the 13th hole thinking I had a chance to birdie nine straight holes if I made it,” he said.

He made the putt and birdied seven holes between No. 12 and No. 1. Par intruded only on No. 16, when he two-putted from 20 feet.

The condition of the two courses, hard fairways with no rough, is conducive to Oosterhuis’ game.

“Without question, driving is the weakest part of my game,” he said. “These two courses are probably the most lenient in terms of punishing wildness. I take a big swing, go find it, hit it on the green and make the putt.”

The formula worked very well Friday.

“I hope I can finish like I did here last year,” he said. “I made an eagle on the last hole Friday to make the cut and then shot 66-66. I may need two rounds like I had last year.”

Johnny Miller, two shots behind and tied for sixth, suggested the scores might not be quite so low when the pros settle down to play the tougher South Course exclusively today and Sunday.

“There’s a tendency to get off fast,” he said. “Torrey Pines will usually let the leaders get by at about three under a day. What’s the record for 36 holes?”

Miller should have known. He held it, at least until Friday. Hallberg and Oosterhuis broke the record 12-under 132 Miller set en route to winning in 1982.