O’Meara Having a Rough Time--Really

Weekend golfers should all hit their drivers as erratically as Mark O’Meara did Friday when he broke a string of five consecutive 67s with a 66 on Torrey Pines’ North Course.

O’Meara, at 11-under-par 133, is tied for the second-round lead at the Buick Invitational with Steve Lowery, who had two eagles in his round of 66 on the South Course.

“I was debating on the last hole whether maybe I should jack that putt from about four feet,” O’Meara said. “But I figured the way I’m hitting it, I’ve got to make every one I can when I’ve got the chance.”

O’Meara, who hit only six fairways Friday, bolted out of the press room for the driving range like a duffer trying to cure his slice. But duffers don’t scramble from the rough like O’Meara, and they definitely don’t putt and chip the way he does.

They also don’t have a chance to win consecutive tournaments on the PGA Tour. Last week, O’Meara slopped his way through the mud at Pebble Beach to a one-stroke victory over Tiger Woods. This week at Torrey Pines, another course with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, the conditions are perfect. Almost no wind, lush fairways and firm, but true greens.

Whatever the conditions, O’Meara’s driver remains consistently inconsistent. He has hit only 15 of 28 fairways over two days, but he has needed only 26 putts each day. Friday, he had eight birdies and two bogeys.

“I got some good breaks in the rough,” he said. “I didn’t play that sterling last week. . . . I need to be a lot better.”

What would happen if O’Meara began finding the fairways with his driver?

“I could be tough on the weekend,” he said. “The way I play, I try to have myself in position on Sunday. I have my work cut out for me.”

Lowery finished second to Craig Stadler here in 1994 and wound up 12th on the money list. He dropped to 38th in 1995 and 80th in 1996.

“Last year wasn’t a good one,” Lowery said. “I built a house in Orlando. It was a distraction. I’m focused on golf this year.”

Frank Lickliter, who shot a 68 on the South and is tied with Michael Bradley at 134, is simply fortunate to be in the tournament. He started the week as third alternate and quickly moved to first alternate on Monday. But by Wednesday afternoon, he was still an alternate. At 5 p.m., Dave Rummells pulled out and Lickliter pulled in.

“I was very relieved,” said Lickliter, who missed the cut here last year by a stroke. “I wanted the opportunity to play. Hopefully, I’ll get to play with the Prince of Pebble tomorrow.”

Lickliter will get his wish. He will tee off on the South Course, which everyone plays the last two days, in the last group with Lowery and O’Meara at 10:30 a.m.

Bradley was at five under after 14 holes but birdied Nos. 14, 15 and 16 and eagled 18 with a 20-foot putt to get to 10 under. Olin Browne and Stadler are one more stroke behind 135. Seven players are at 136. Included in that group is Phil Mickelson, who won this tournament in 1993, finished third in 1994 and second last year.

“Having played well here is a good momentum builder,” Mickelson said. “I’ll try to copy my thought process.”

Mickelson played the North Course in five-under 67 and has his putter working again.

“I’ve really putted well the last few days. . . . Plus, watching Ben Crenshaw doesn’t hurt either,” he said.

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The Leaders

Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines--Par 72; 36-Hole Scores

Steve Lowery: 67-66--133 -11

Mark O’Meara: 67-66--133 -11

Michael Bradley: 71-63--134 -10

Frank Lickliter: 66-68--134 -10

Olin Browne: 65-70--135 -9

Craig Stadler: 67-68--135 -9

Lee Janzen: 71-65--136 -8

Jesper Parnevik: 70-66--136 -8

Bob Tway: 64-72--136 -8

Duffy Waldorf: 70-66--136 -8

Dan Forsman: 66-70--136 -8

Phil Mickelson: 69-67--136 -8

Jay Don Blake: 65-71--136 -8

* COMPLETE SCORES, C12