Roberts Leads by One in Cold and Windy Florida

Loren Roberts battled cold and wind for a five-under-par 66 and a one-stroke lead Thursday in the first round of the $800,000 Nestle Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill Country Club.

The conditions were miserable.

“The coldest it’s been this year,” Roberts said. And most agreed that, overall, this winter has been the coldest start to the PGA Tour within memory.

“By far the worst I’ve been in this year,” Ted Schulz said.

“The coldest I remember in a long time,” Tom Kite added.

Nick Price, wearing gloves, a ski cap and five layers of clothing over his upper body, said nothing. He just shivered, but birdied the final three holes for a 67.

The temperatures reached only into the low 40s. A brisk wind reduced the chill factor to 25. Mist and fog rose from the lakes and ponds dotting the course and obscured some fairways.

Kite holed a 173-yard, 6-iron shot for an eagle-2 on the 16th hole and was tied at 68 with Schulz and Tom Purtzer.

Don Pooley, Steve Pate and John Huston were next at 69.