GOLF SENIORS AT LA COSTA : Rodriguez Takes a One-Shot Lead

At a time when tremendous progress is being made in the development of new golf clubs, Chi Chi Rodriguez is thriving with an old one.

Rodriguez, using a 30-year-old putter he found in a closet, shot a two-under-par 70 at La Costa Thursday to take a one-shot lead in the first round of the Tournament of Champions’ senior division.

Although it was a sunny day, the course was wet and muddy, making the 6,815 yards seem even longer for the 50-and-older set. Only Lee Trevino, DeWitt Weaver, Bob Charles and Al Geiberger joined Rodriguez under par, all at 71. Defending champion Bruce Crampton was alone at par 72.

The ball didn’t get much roll on the soft fairways and picked up mud when it landed. Trevino and Charles said they should have been allowed to pick up the ball and clean it between shots, Rodriguez never worries about such matters--or much of anything else.

His reclaimed putter, which he used extremely well except for one four-footer, is called a Gyro. It was given to him in 1962 by the inventor, Ed Gisa, but hadn’t been used since ’64. Rodriguez thought he had lost it.

“I was disappointed that I had such a good year in 1991 and still wasn’t No. 1 (in earnings),” he said. “I sat down at home to analyze it. I found that most of the money leaders were among the putting leaders. I wasn’t in the top 10.

“Then, I found this putter. I have no idea why I’d stopped using it. But it has perfect balance. It felt like I had found an old friend.

“I used it in practice and was 10 under in 31 holes. I really putted well today. This could make me No. 1 again.”

Rodriguez’s first putt with the Gyro in competition in 28 years was a 15-footer to save par. After he sank it and did his famous sword act, he turned to his caddy and said, “This is going to be a great year.”

His playing partner, Trevino, said: “That putter’s 100 years old.”

Rodriguez putted as if it were high-tech. He sank a 10-footer on No. 2 and a 25-footer on the fourth hole for birdies. With a chance to go three under par in five holes, he missed his shortest putt of the day, a four-footer. He was especially adept at getting within inches of the hole on long putts from the fringe.

On the 18th, he was on the edge, 80 feet from the hole, and putted to within a foot. On the 10th, where he was 15 feet below the green, Rodriguez used the putter for a 60-foot shot that barely missed.

“You can’t buy this putter,” he said. “When the fellow gave me the putter years ago, he was already past 60, so I doubt he’s still alive. It’s an antique.”

Asked what he thought the putter was worth, he laughed and said: “About $500,000.”

Rodriguez enjoyed playing with Trevino.

“If I could play with him day in and day out, I’d have my best year,” Rodriguez said. “He encourages you. Lee and Billy Casper make playing golf fun. It doesn’t take all day. It moved pretty well out there today, but the course played long.”

Trevino appeared to be satisfied with his score under the circumstances. “If you tell them you should use pick-and-clean rules, they tell you it’s the same for everyone,” he said. “Of course that’s true, but it doesn’t make for the best golf.

“I really like to come down hard on the ball, but it was so soft, I had to hit three-quarter shots all day.”

It was suggested that another clear, warm day probably would dry out the course.

“No it won’t,” Trevino replied. “The balls will pick up even more mud. It’s like at a race track. Today it was sloppy. Tomorrow it will be muddy.”