Change in Weather Has Scores Dropping

It didn’t take long for the PGA Tour players to warm up at the Hawaiian Open.

After two weeks of battling rain and wind on the West Coast, the weather was picture-perfect on Thursday. John Huston and Dave Ogrin shot nine-under par 63s to share the first-round lead.

Curt Bynum was a shot behind at 64, followed by 1990 Hawaiian Open winner David Ishii, Curtis Strange, Jeff Maggert, Woody Austin, Mike Reid and late starter Trevor Dodds, all at 65.

Those with early tee-off times took advantage of the breezeless day on the flat 7,012-yard Waialae Country Club course.

Of the 72 early starters, 58 completed the round under par. However, as the course hardened in the high-80s temperature, scores inched upward.

“I came out of the box and had a flawless nine holes. It was as good as I’ve ever played,” Ogrin said. It’s hard to describe vapor-lock, but that’s how I played the front nine--pure, effortless.

“It’s the first time I’ve been on the tour with no conditions,” he said. “No wind, no hills, no nothing.”

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Rain and lightning interrupted the start of the South African PGA and less than one-third of the international field was able to complete the opening round at Johannesburg.

Paul Affleck of Wales shot a five-under 67 to lead 51 golfers--in a field of 156--who managed to complete their round.