GOLF ROUNDUP : Cook Pulls Into Tie in Hawaii

John Cook scored two eagles and moved into a tie for the lead Friday as the Waialae Country Club continued to yield exceptionally low scores in the Hawaiian Open at Honolulu.

“I can’t remember having two days in a row with winds this calm,” said Scott Simpson, a former U.S. Open champion and now a Hawaii resident.

Just as in Thursday’s opening round, only breezes ruffled the palm fronds, in sharp contrast to the brisk winds that usually rake the course.

“We’re not used to this,” Cook said after his second-round 66 had lifted him into a tie for the 36-hole lead with Simpson.

“We’ve enjoyed the last two days,” Cook said, “but I’m sure the usual winds will be coming back.”

The game’s touring pros did well on the soft greens. A 63 by rookie Dave Sutherland was an example, as was a 64 by Fred Funk. Scores of 66 were relatively common.

Simpson slipped six strokes higher than his opening 62 and reached the tournament halfway point at 130, 14 under par.

Cook caught him with the effort that included eagles on the first and 12th holes.

Chip Beck, Gil Morgan and Ed Humenik were two strokes behind the co-leaders at 132.

Kathy Postlewait, who trailed leader Sarah McGuire after opening round, looks forward to a “putting contest” on the second day of the $500,000 LPGA Jamaica Classic at Montego Bay.

McGuire shot a four-under-par 67 for a one-stroke lead as the season-opening tournament began at the Tryall Golf and Country Club. But Postlewait stole the show, shooting a hole in one on the par-three sixth.

“The greens were soft today--not fast, just a good speed,” said Postlewait, who shot a 70. “I think this tournament will end up a putting contest.”

Second after the first 18 holes of the 54-hole tournament was defending champion Patty Sheehan, who shot a 68. Jill Briles-Hinton was with Postlewait at 70.

Jane Geddes, Cindy Schreyer and Cindy Rarick were at 71.