GOLF ROUNDUP : Irwin Suddenly Show-Biz With Hole in One at Westchester

After a successful tryout in Medinah, Ill., Hale Irwin brought his high-five act to New York.

It was another smash hit.

Just as he did last week after a 72nd-hole birdie in the U.S. Open, Irwin romped over to the ropes restraining the gallery and slapped high-fives with spectators around the sixth tee at the Westchester Country Club at Harrison on Thursday.

“This is the Big Apple. You have to play to the gallery,” the usually restrained Irwin said of his sudden flair of showmanship.

This time his gallop was in celebration of a hole in one--a wedge that flew a few feet beyond the flag and spun back into the cup.

“Why not?” Irwin shrugged in feigned nonchalance. “A routine, 112-yard pitching wedge shot into the hole.”

The ace was the centerpiece of a five-under-par 66 in the first round of the Buick Classic that left the new U.S. Open champion one stroke behind rookie leader Kirk Triplett.

Irwin was tied for second with Blaine McCallister, Buddy Gardner and Bill Britton.

Irwin was two under for the round when he went to the tee on his 15th hole of the day and scored the seventh hole in one of his 22-year pro career.

Kathy Postlewait birdied her last hole to tie Nancy Lopez for the lead at four under par in the opening round of the LPGA Rochester International in New York.

Postlewait, who started on the back nine, was two over after four holes but eagled the par-five 17th and made a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 9 to finish with a 68 over the Locust Hill Country Club course.

Lopez, a three-time champion at this tournament, also started on the back nine. She eagled No. 17 and led at five under par after five holes but overshot the green on the par-three ninth hole and bogeyed.

Mark Calcavecchia, the British Open champion from the United States, fired a six-under-par 66 with wife Sheryl acting as his caddy and took the first-round lead in the Irish Open at Portmarnock.

Spaniard Jose-Maria Olazabal and Frenchman Marc Farry were tied for second at 67.