Golf Roundup : Lopez Stays Hot, Shares Lead at 66

Nancy Lopez, the LPGA’s hottest player in recent weeks, and veteran Dale Eggeling, who had been in a season-long slump, each shot six-under-par 66 Thursday to share the first-round lead of the $210,000 Henredon tournament at High Point, N.C.

Val Skinner and Betsy King were tied for second with 68s after an opening round that saw more than 30 players in the 144-woman field break par on the Willow Creek Golf Course.

Two-time defending champion Patty Sheehan and leading money-winner Alice Miller were not among those who broke par. Sheehan shot a 73, Miller carded a 74. Hall of Famer JoAnne Carter double-bogeyed the last hole for a 75.

“I feel real good, real confident,” said Lopez, who hasn’t finished worse than fourth since May. “There’s not a doubt in my mind. When I miss a putt, I just go on because I figure there’ll be more.”

For Lopez, 28, Thursday’s round was the continuation of a two-month streak that has seen her win three tournaments and more than $200,000.

Lopez birdied the first two holes she played, bogeyed the tough par-4 sixth, then birdied Nos. 8 and 9 for a three-under 33 on the front nine.

On the back nine, she birdied 10, 14, and 16. She missed birdie tries of 6, 2, 8, 10 and 12 feet.

The 66 was the best round of the year for Eggeling, 31, who is in her ninth season on the tour. Her best finishes this year have been two ties for 14th at the J&B; Scotch Pro-Am and the S&H; Golf tournament. She has missed six cuts in 21 events and is 80th on this year’s money list.

Tim Robinson of Palo Alto and Greg Bruckner of Manhattan Beach each shot a 69, two under par, to help create a four-way tie for the lead after the third round of the Pacific Coast Amateur golf tournament at Los Angeles Country Club.

Tied with Robinson and Bruckner at 214 after 54 holes were Ed Cuff Jr. of La Mesa, and Duffy Waldorf of Tarzana, the second-round co-leaders. Each shot a 73.