GOLF ROUNDUP : Koch Shoots 67 to Take Lead; Rain Ends Play

Gary Koch shot a 67 Friday to take a one-stroke lead over Mark O’Meara after two rounds of the rain-delayed USF&G; tournament at New Orleans.

Rain delayed play for two hours and forced suspension of the second round with 23 golfers on the course. They were scheduled to finish their rounds today before the start of the third round.

Koch, who finished Thursday’s first round a stroke off the lead at 70, parred his first three holes Friday, then made the first of his five birdies on the par-4 13th hole, his fourth of the day.

He was at seven-under-par 137 after two rounds.

O’Meara, one of four tied at 69 after Thursday’s first round, shot another 69 Friday, overcoming a poor front nine with a 30 on the back side.

First-day leaders Brian Tennyson and Steve Elkington shot 70s Friday and were tied with Corey Pavin at 139. Pavin shot a 67 Friday.

Fred Funk, one of the four first-day leaders, was among those still on the course when play was suspended because of darkness. He was four under after 14 holes.

Curt Byrum shot a 66, the best round of the tournament, and was in a six-way tie at 142. He completed his round during particularly bad weather in the morning.

Tournament director Tommy Wulff said it was just typical New Orleans springtime weather.

“It seems like if there’s a tournament in New Orleans, and it’s the Classic, there’s going to be rain,” Wulff said.

“I can’t remember a tournament where there hasn’t been rain some time in the week.”

Frank Beard, battling wind and rain at Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco, Tex., shot a six-under par 66 to take the first-round lead in the Murata Reunion Pro-Am. Two shots back were Bobby Nichols and Walt Zembriski.