GOLF ROUNDUP : Archer, Crampton Breeze to Senior Lead at 68

George Archer and Bruce Crampton rode the wind to three-under-par 68s Friday to share the first-round lead in the PGA Senior Tour’s Royal Caribbean Classic at Key Biscayne, Fla.

Winds of more than 20 m.p.h. blew out of the north, just the opposite of the prevailing sea breezes on the bayside Links at Key Biscayne.

“Somebody sure turned on the fans this morning,” Crampton said. “It’s virtually like playing a new golf course.

“I’ve been working hard out in the California desert trying to improve my game,” he said. “I must be making progress. I made of lot of pleasing shots today, and I have pretty high standards.”

Tied for third at 69 were Rocky Thompson, Larry Mowry and Al Geiberger. Defending champion Gary Player was among six players at 70.

The $500,000 tournament is the first full-field event of the year.

The 6-foot-5 Archer took a share of the lead with four birdies over the final seven holes.

“The normal good wind player is stocky and low to the ground, not a tall guy,” Archer said. “I would not classify myself as a good wind player. But I don’t know anybody who says, ‘It’s a good windy day! Let’s go play!’ “Three under par,” Archer said as he reviewed his round. “I would have been pleased with three over par today, since I haven’t been playing.”

Pat Bradley, riding the euphoria of her recent induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame, overcame a blustery wind to shoot a five-under-par 67 for a share of the lead with Beth Daniel in the Oldsmobile Classic at Lake Worth, Fla.

Bradley, 40, with a two-day total of 137, made up four shots on the leader when Daniel posted a 71. Jane Crafter, with a 69, was the only other player to break 70.

Sweden’s Helen Alfredsson, the 1990 British Open champion who is beginning her first full season on the LPGA tour, was at seven under par through 34 holes when play was suspended because of darkness.

Two strokes behind the leaders were Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez (72) and Rosie Jones (71). Dawn Coe (73) and Deb Richard (70) were at 140.

Bradley made three birdies and an eagle while shooting 32 on the front nine.

“I made some no-brainers, a big one (a 30-foot putt) for eagle that jumped me past some people,” she said.