Golf Roundup : Denis Watson, Roger Maltbie Tied

Defending champion Denis Watson and Roger Maltbie blistered the Firestone Country Club course Thursday, each posting a five-under-par 65 to share the first-round lead in the $700,000 World Series of Golf at Akron, Ohio.

One shot back is Calvin Peete, who had a bogey-free 66.

Tied at 67 on the 7,173-yard Firestone layout are George Archer, Woody Blackburn, Gordon Brand of Britain, Tom Kite and Bob Eastwood.

PGA champion Hubert Green was one of five golfers at 68, while U.S. Open champion Andy North and two-time World Series winner Tom Watson were among seven players at 69.

The team of Don January and Mike Sullivan shot a 59 to tie a tournament record and take a two-stroke lead in the PGA’s $450,000 Jeremy Ranch Shootout at Park City, Utah.

The defending champions carded a 28 on their first nine holes en route to a 13-under-par score on the first day of the 72-hole tournament at the 6,947-yard mountainside course.

The Shootout is played under a best-ball format, with each team composed of a member of the junior and senior PGA circuits. The lower score recorded by a team member on each hole counts toward the score for the round.

The team of Gene Littler and John Mahaffey was at 61. Four teams were tied for third at 63.

Defending champion Betsy King weathered two lightning delays and shot a three-under-par 69 to take the first-round lead in the $300,000 LPGA National Pro-Amateur at Denver.

One stroke off the pace were U.S. Women’s Open champion Kathy Baker and tour non-winners Becky Pearson and Lori Garbacz.

Pat Bradley, Rosie Jones, Lenore Muraoka and Cathy Kratzert were grouped at 71, while Amy Alcott led a contingent at 72.

Despite the delays, all but about 24 players were able to finish their rounds. The 24, halted by darkness, will complete the first round early today before play starts in the second round.