GOLF / HAWAIIAN OPEN : Azinger, Smith Tied for Lead
When the wind subsided Thursday, Paul Azinger breezed right through the par-5 holes.
Azinger had three birdies and an eagle on the long holes en route to a four-under-par 68 that tied him with Mike Smith for the first-round lead in the Hawaiian Open golf tournament.
“They were beatable today,” Azinger said of the par-5 holes. “I think we got a little bit of a break playing in the afternoon.
“It was gustier this morning, and blowing harder. It was just a windy day when we played.”
Jim Hallet and Dave Eichelberger tied for second at 69.
Defending champion Gene Sauers put together a birdie-eagle finish and led a group at 70 that included Jay Don Blake, Brad Fabel, Jeff Hart, Canadian Dave Barr and rookies Clark Dennis and Tommy Moore.
Of the top 11 players, only Hallet, Clark and Moore played in the more difficult morning winds.
Tom Kite, the 1989 player of the year on the PGA Tour, struggled to a 75.
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