Golf Roundup : Pooley Leads by One After 64 at Pebble Beach

Don Pooley, who had the lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour last year, surprised himself Friday with an eight-under-par 64 on the Pebble Beach Golf Links and took the lead with a 132 after two rounds of the $200,000 Spalding Invitational tournament now under way on three Monterey Peninsula courses.

Tim Norris also shot a 64, which is two strokes over the course record at Pebble Beach, and was one stroke back in the non-tour golf event.

“I was eight under par through 13 holes and not quite believing what was going on,” Pooley said. “That’s by far the best round I’ve ever had here.”

Pooley, 34, who averaged 70.36 strokes a round in 1985 to win the Vardon Trophy, had nine birdies and one bogey. His longest putt was from 25 feet, and he missed one birdie opportunity from three feet.

Jane Blalock and Patty Sheehan, at 137, were the leading scorers among the women pros competing with distance advantages off the tees.

Davis Love III, making his first start as a touring pro, one-putted the final two holes to salvage a four-under-par 68 and a share of the 36-hole lead in the $300,000 Bahamas tournament with Bob Tway, who had a 66, and first-round leader Bob Lohr, who birdied the final hole for a 69.

The three are tied at 133 for two rounds over the Paradise Island Golf Club course on Paradise Island.