GOLF ROUNDUP : Course Is in Spotlight for Seniors

Despite mangled mangroves, patches of mud and trees stripped bare, The Links at Key Biscayne looked great Friday.

The first round of the Senior PGA Tour’s Royal Caribbean Classic confirmed the course’s comeback from Hurricane Andrew.

Al Geiberger and Jim Colbert shared the lead at six-under-par 65, and hometown favorite Raymond Floyd shot 67 in the first full-field event of the Senior season. But the biggest star was the public course near downtown Miami, ravaged by a storm less than six months ago.

“It’s a remarkable feat to have this course in the condition it’s in after all the damage,” said Floyd, who lives a short boat ride away. “They had eight feet of water over the course, and then no power for two weeks to clean things up. With what salt water can do to grass, it could have been terrible.

“But the players who have played here before all tell me the course is in better shape than ever.”

Colbert took advantage of soft, slow greens by sinking six birdie putts of at least 10 feet. He concluded his round by making a 20-footer at No. 17 and an 18-footer at No. 18.

“My 40-year lucky streak with the putter is still intact,” Colbert said. “The texture and speed of the greens were perfect for a golf pro.”

JoAnne Carner shot a six-under-par 66 to take the lead before darkness suspended play in the first round of the rain-delayed $400,000 Healthsouth Palm Beach Classic Lake Worth, Fla.

Jennifer Wyatt was six under par through 16 holes when play was halted in the first event of the LPGA season. Brandie Burton was five under through 15 holes.

England’s Nick Faldo and Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie were tied for the lead at five-under 135 after two rounds of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Singapore.

Montgomerie gained a share of the lead by shooting a three-under-par 67. Faldo had a 68.

Fred Couples shot a 65 and is at 137.