Golf Roundup : Ballesteros, Woosnam Breeze to Match Wins

Severiano Ballesteros and Ian Woosnam posted impressive victories Friday as the first round of the $424,000 World Match Play golf championship at Wentworth, England, was completed 24 hours behind schedule because of rain and hurricane-force winds.

Ballesteros, aiming to equal Gary Player’s record of five match-play titles, led by two holes Thursday against Katsunari Takahashi of Japan and collected two birdies in four holes Friday in closing the match 4 and 2.

Welshman Woosnam needed only one birdie in his last four holes for a 4 and 3 victory over Sam Randolph.

South Africa’s Mark McNulty finished with a birdie on the 35th hole in securing a 2 and 1 victory over England’s Howard Clark.

Scotland’s Sandy Lyle, winner of last week’s German Open, had the toughest time of the four opening-round winners. Lyle, a three-time World Match Play losing finalist, was taken to the third extra playoff hole before claiming a 1-up victory over David Ishii.

After torrential rain had severely disrupted play Thursday, the overnight gales that lashed Southern England caused a further delay.

An early start was scheduled Friday, but the first-round matches resumed 6 1/2 hours late after officials had cleared fallen trees and other debris from the course.

The four seeded players make their first appearances in today’s quarterfinals. Defending champion Greg Norman of Australia faces McNulty, Masters champion Larry Mize meets Lyle, U.S. Open champion Scott Simpson plays Ballesteros, and British Open champion Nick Faldo opposes Woosnam.

Mark O’Meara shot his second straight bogey-free round, a 68, to retain the lead in the second round of the $600,000 Walt Disney World tournament at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

O’Meara was at 13-under-par 131 for 36 holes, one shot in front of Bob Gilder, who had a 65.

Bruce Crampton shot a four-under-par 67 to take the lead after one round of the $250,000 Seniors International at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, S.C. Two shots behind Crampton were last year’s champion Butch Baird, Orville Moody and Billy Casper.