GOLF ROUNDUP : Adjustments Work for Hulbert, Black

Mike Hulbert and Ronnie Black, acting on advice and inspiration they got from fellow pro Davis Love III, shot seven-under-par 65s Thursday to share the first-round lead in the Shell Houston Open.

Hulbert went from the practice range Wednesday to the first tee Thursday feeling comfortable with the adjustment in his swing suggested by Love.

His eight-birdie, one-bogey round over the Tournament Players Course matched Black’s best round of the year, giving them a one-shot lead over Keith Clearwater.

Playing in the same group with Love last week was a benefit, Black said.

“He helped me and didn’t know it,” Black said. “Just watching the way he plays so aggressively. It’s easy to draw from that.”

Eight golfers were at 67, headed by defending champion Fulton Allem and Tom Kite.

Hulbert and Black had few witnesses to their tournament-leading rounds because most of the gallery lined up to follow either Love or hometown favorite Fred Couples, the world’s top-ranked golfer.

Love, trying to become the first golfer since Gary Player in 1978 to win three consecutive tournaments, shot a 69 in the opening round that ended with a dramatic 30-yard chip-in for a birdie.

Couples finished with a 70. He bolted past the waiting media and went to the practice tee saying: “I’m going to stay until I get it right.”

Hulbert, however, was ready to play after the lesson he got from Love and his brother Mark Love, Wednesday night. “It was pretty simple, I just wasn’t getting the club head squared up and the timing was a little off,” Hulbert said. “I felt good leaving the range yesterday and I felt good starting out today.”

Clearwater had an erratic round that included eight birdies and three bogeys. He had four birdies in a row to tie Hulbert for the lead with three holes to play, but he finished with two bogeys and a birdie.

Clearwater did not have a par in his final nine holes, with six birdies and three bogeys.

Colleen Walker shot an eight-under-par 64 for a two-shot lead over Michelle Estill after one round of the LPGA Centel Classic at Tallahassee, Fla.

Alice Ritzman was alone at five-under 67 at the Killearn Country Club course. Eight players were tied at 68, including Meg Mallon, Dana Lofland and Beth Daniel.