GOLF : Frost, Cook Share Lead at 64, but Field Bunched at Las Vegas

David Frost and John Cook matched eight-under-par 64s to share the first round of the Las Vegas Invitational where 55 players shot 69 or better.

Jim Benepe and Morris Hatalsky were one stroke off the lead. Benepe played at Desert Inn, Hatalsky at Las Vegas Country Club.

Lon Hinkle, Ken Green and Tim Simpson had 66s at Las Vegas. Loren Roberts and Tom Byrum had the same scores at Spanish Trails.

Of those nine leaders, all but Byrum and Roberts played in the morning half of the field.

Frost was six-under par on the par-five holes at Las Vegas, but his effort was flawed with as many bogeys as eagles.

Cook took full advantage of his early morning starting time and perfect greens. He played without a bogey and finished his round with four consecutive birdies.

Frost didn’t have to worry about putting on two of the greens his first time around. He holed from off the putting surfaces for two of his three eagles.

One came on a chip from off the collar on the first hole. The next was a 168-yard seven-iron for an eagle on the 11th.

The format for the five-day, 90-hole, $1.3-million tournament calls for the 156 pros to play one round on each of three desert courses before the field is cut for the final two rounds.