He’s Quite Willing to Jaw About His Game

After a troublesome jaw that once made it difficult to talk at all, Gabriel Hjertstedt is more than happy to discuss his performance at the Mercedes Championships.

Hjertstedt had oral surgery for a dislocated jaw that forced him off the European Tour in 1995. The problem, which was in the temporal mandibular joint, obviously threw off his game.

“I had TMJ really bad at the end of 1995,” Hjertstedt said.

“I wasn’t playing well and ran out of money. I slept in my car a few nights, but not during tournaments.”

Bad times followed him even in good times; after winning the B.C. Open for his first PGA Tour victory in 1997, Hjertstedt dropped a suitcase on his right foot, breaking his small toe.

So far, 1998 is a big improvement. Hjertstedt is 10 under after 54 holes at La Costa, three shots off the lead held by Phil Mickelson. He has broken 70 all three rounds.

“It’s exciting to see the leaderboard and you’re up there,” Hjertstedt said.

He was tied with Mickelson for the lead for two holes Saturday, but he bogeyed the 12th hole, which Mickelson birdied.

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Nick Price’s good showing (an 11-under 205) is due to more than just attitude. He is using new irons from Goldwin.

“I think I hit them straighter,” Price said. “I hit some really good shots out there. The only difficulty I’ve had is judging the distance of the short irons.”

He also has a new titanium driver, a big improvement “after that little pea on the end of a stick I used to use,” he said. “Last year, all the guys I’ve been keeping up with were starting to pass me. I’ve picked up five to eight yards.”

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David Duval’s drastic turnabout, however, is attributable to skills, Mickelson said.

Duval, who never had won in 92 starts, has won his last three tournaments and begins the final round of the Mercedes only one shot behind Mickelson.

“He has become an excellent driver and he has become an incredible putter,” Mickelson said.