Golf Roundup : Norman, Kite Beat Rain, Share Lead With 64s

Defending champion Greg Norman and Tom Kite each shot a seven-under-par 64 Thursday to share the lead in the rain-shortened first round of the $700,000 Kemper Open golf tournament at Potomac, Md. Rain suspended play with exactly half the 156-man field still on the course.

The first round will resume shortly after dawn today. The second round will follow and continue through early Saturday.

Norman and Kite held a one-shot advantage over Scott Hoch in the first PGA Tour event on the 6,864-yard Tournament Players Club at Avenel course.

Cathy Morse, slowed by a back injury this year, birdied the final three holes for a five-under-par 66 and a one-stroke lead over Sherri Turner in the rain-delayed start of the $500,000 LPGA McDonald’s tournament at Du Pont Country Club in Wilmington, Del.

The first round will be completed this morning for the 48 players still on the course, with the second round to follow.

Craig Stadler edged toward a hat trick of Masters titles when he had seven birdies en route to a four-under-par 68 in the opening round of the $310,000 Dunhill British Masters at Woburn, England.

Stadler, winner of the 1982 U.S. Masters and the 1985 European Masters, was one shot behind the co-leaders, South African Hugh Baiocchi and Briton Ian Woosnam.