PGA TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP : Daly Goes Long to Tie for Lead

Just as in the PGA, John Daly was the last man in the field for the season-ending Tour Championship.

Just as in the PGA, Daly turned that surprise appearance into a share of the lead.

And, as he did in the upset victory in the PGA that made him a national sensation two months ago, Daly used his power as the key ingredient.

He birdied all the par-five holes on the No. 2 course at Pinehurst en route to a three-under-par 68 Thursday in the new, $2-million event.

“Daly’s advantage is that he’s hitting a wedge in when the rest of us are hitting four-irons,” British Open champion Ian Baker-Finch said.

“He can get more spin on it, and he can reach all the par-fives in two,” said Baker-Finch, who shared the first-round lead with Daly, left-hander Russ Cochran and Craig Stadler.

Payne Stewart played the last three holes three under par--eagle, par, birdie--and finished at 69. Also at 69 were Paul Azinger, Steve Elkington, Scott Hoch, Nolan Henke and Jay Don Blake.