San Diego Is the Place for Blackburn : Defending Champion Returns to Scene of His Only Win

Woody Blackburn doesn’t win very often on the PGA Tour. He doesn’t even finish in the top 10 too often. He’s not superstitious, nor is he too concerned with the fact that not many people pay much attention to him. He’s the classic little fish in a large pond.

This week, the organizers of the 1986 Shearson Lehman Brothers Andy Williams San Diego Open spent more time marketing bigger-name players such as Tom Watson, Curtis Strange and Tom Kite. They paid very little attention to their defending champion.

But none of it seems to bother Blackburn when he’s in San Diego. When he’s here, he turns into a shark. Never mind the past disappointments. Blackburn just goes out and tears apart the Torrey Pines Golf Course.

The barely recognizable 12th-year pro from Orange Park, Fla., shot a 6-under-par 66 Thursday on the North Course to gain a share of the lead after one round of the four-day tournament.

“I guess I’m happy to back in San Diego,” he said. “I feel pretty good about shooting a 66 on a windy course.”

The response was typical for Blackburn, a stoic figure on the course who mutters only an occasional word during a round. You might think that a guy who hadn’t broken par this year would be a little more excited with a 66. But not Blackburn.

Before he won the 1985 championship here, Blackburn had never won in 11 years on the tour. He hasn’t won since. Blackburn’s win last year was enough to allow him to finish 57th on the money-winning list, his highest finish.

But even his victory last year was a bit less-than memorable. After shooting 66 for three straight rounds, Blackburn slumped to a 71 on the final day. He missed a three-foot putt on 18 that could have wrapped up the championship. He had to go four extra holes to beat Ron Streck in a playoff. Even then, he won it despite shooting one- over -par for the extra holes.

“All my memories of San Diego are good ones,” Blackburn said. “During practice, I’ll go by a spot where I hit a good shot last year and it will bring back good thoughts.”

Chances are, he’ll have some more good memories after his effort Thursday.

Blackburn’s title defense started with a whimper on the 10th hole Thursday morning.

“Now, with a tee-off time of 10:40, from Orange Park, Florida . . . Woody Blackburn,” said the course announcer.

There was a smattering of applause. And then, whap!

Blackburn’s tee shot sailed to the right, across the walkway and into the rough. The magic memories of San Diego reappeared, however, and Blackburn hit a six iron within three feet of the hole. He sank the putt to immediately go one-under.

A small gathering watched as Blackburn birdied the 14th, 15th and 16th holes to offset a bogey on 11. He then electrified the gallery with a 60-foot eagle putt on 18 that put him at 5-under.

On the back nine, Blackburn fought to maintain his early advantage. He scrambled to save par on No. 3 and No. 4, and then after a bogey at 7, he came up with the shot of the day.

His tee shot on the par-4 8th hole, went left and wound up in the rough between two trees. Blackburn hit a nine iron from 155 yards out that short-hopped the flag and bounced a foot from the hole. He sank the birdie putt and parred the final hole to get his 66.

“After I won here last year, I spun my wheels for a while,” Blackburn said. “You have to always be going forward on the tour because it’s so competitive and I didn’t do that.

“I hit some good shots from the fairway and that was encouraging. If I can do a little better off the tee and get a little better tempo, I could have a good tournament.”

He may also do well to remember that this is San Diego. The place where little-known Woody Blackburn has all of a sudden turned into a world-beater.