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Golf Roundup : Bobby Wadkins Starts, Finishes First With a 65

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From Times Wire Services

Bobby Wadkins, playing in the first threesome, shot a six-under-par 65 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead in the opening round of the Sea Pines Heritage golf tournament at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

In the clubhouse early, Wadkins sat back and watched the field try to catch him. And he had a few anxious moments.

Paul Azinger made a run at Wadkins but parred the final hole to finish with a 66 on the Harbourtown Golf Links.

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And new Masters champion Bernhard Langer played the front nine in 31, tying the course record, but he faltered on the back nine and settled for a tie with seven others at 68.

Five players, including two-time Heritage champion Hale Irwin, were deadlocked for third at 67.

Defending champion Nick Faldo ballooned to an 80, shooting a 40 on both ends of the course.

Wadkins, younger brother of veteran Lanny Wadkins, teed off at 7:15 a.m. With no wind on a beautiful sunny day, Wadkins, looking for his first victory on the tour, shot a three-under-par 33 on the front nine and also came in three-under par on the back nine.

“I finished with a 65 here last year so I was anxious to get back here,” he said. “The course is in the best condition in the last 11 years.”

Calvin Peete withdrew with a stomach ailment after shooting a 41 on the front nine.

Nancy Lopez, still looking for her first victory of the year, shot a seven-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead in the opening round of the $200,000 J&B; Scotch ladies’ tournament at Las Vegas.

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Lopez had eight birdies and one bogey in her round on the Desert Inn course.

Patty Sheehan and Vicki Fergon were tied for second, and Lenore Muraoka and Patty Hayes were at 68. Dinah Shore tournament champion Alice Moore was three strokes back.

Lopez, 28, whose best 1985 finish has been a second at Sarasota, Fla., rolled in three birdie putts of more than 20 feet. “I played really well,” she said. “I felt like I was aggressive all day long.”

The tournament winner will receive $30,000, but Miller could earn a $1-million bonus with a victory, as could defending champion Ayako Okamoto. Sponsors are offering the bonus to either a repeat winner of this tournament or a winner of both the Dinah Shore and Las Vegas tournaments.

Okamoto shot a 73 Thursday.

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