Golf Roundup : Nicklaus One Back After a 66

Canadian Dan Halldorson used a burst of five birdies in six holes to edge past host Jack Nicklaus and take a one-shot lead Thursday in the first round of the Memorial golf tournament at Dublin, Ohio.

Halldorson shot a seven-under-par 65 in something approaching privacy, while Nicklaus was trailed by a vast gallery of old friends and former neighbors as he put together his 66.

“The conditions were just right for scoring,” Nicklaus said of the cool, overcast weather and the beautifully conditioned Muirfield Village Golf Club course he designed.

“Under these conditions, I think you’ll see a lot of good scores. I feel very fortunate that I was one of them,” said Nicklaus, the founder and driving force behind this prestigious event that is held where the young Jack Nicklaus once hunted squirrels and rabbits.

Nicklaus, 46, who won the Masters last month, was tied for second place with Peter Jacobsen and Doug Tewell.

Halldorson complimented Nicklaus, saying: “Considering everything he has to do at this tournamnent, all the things going on, his 66 was a tremendous round.”

Lanny Wadkins and Pat McGowan were at 67.

The group at 68 included Hal Sutton, Tom Purtzer, John Mahaffey, Mark O’Meara and Mac O’Grady, the controversial player who is appealing a fine and suspension for “conduct unbecoming a pro golfer.” As usual, he declined an invitaion for a mass interview but spoke at length in the locker room, again attacking PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman.

“Deane is not Mr. Golf,” O’Grady said. “He feels he is Mr. Golf and demands it.”

Lee Elder shot a seven-under-par 65 to take a two-stroke lead in the opening round of the $230,000 Coca-Cola Grand Slam senior tournament at Chiba, Japan. George Lanning was second with a 67.

Beth Daniel shot a five-under-par 67 to take a three-stroke lead after one round of the $250,000 Corning tournament at Corning, N.Y.

Tied at 70 were Sherrin Smyers, Pat Bradley, Val Skinner and Ok-Hee Ku of Korea, all of whom took advantage of early-morning starts, and Alice Ritzman, who had to play in an afternoon rain.