Trevino, Hill Lead Senior Field in Season’s First Tournament

Mike Hill was the hottest golfer on the Senior PGA Tour at the end of last year, winning two of the last three tournaments.

Hill, for years known as Dave Hill’s younger brother, won four tournaments and finished second on the senior money list with $895,678 to Lee Trevino’s $1,190,518.

Mike Hill is one of the favorites in the Infiniti Tournament of Champions’ senior competition, which opens the senior tour each year.

Hill and 12 other players 50 and older will begin play today at La Costa in one of the few 72-hole tournaments for the seniors.

“My goal was to win a tournament and play well,” Hill said. “It will be the same this year. It would be nice to do as well.

“Realistically, I don’t see how I can do as well as I did last year. It’s probably expecting too much to make all the crucial putts every time.”

While Trevino, Hill, Charles Coody, George Archer and Chi Chi Rodriguez--the five leading money-winners--are here, three of the big names are not.

Gary Player is home in South Africa tending his race horses, Bob Charles is on his farm in New Zealand and Jack Nicklaus said he will play in only four senior events again this year.