Gossett Takes the Lead

David Gossett, the 1999 U.S. Amateur champion who had a 59 in the PGA Tour qualifying school, shot a seven-under-par 64 Friday to take the lead in the John Deere Classic at Silvis, Ill.

Gossett, playing the tournament on a sponsor exemption, had eight birdies and a bogey on the TPC at Deere Run to finish 36 holes at 11-under 131.

Kent Jones was in second, one shot back. Edward Fryatt was two strokes back, and Bob May shot a 67 to top an eight-player group at 134.

Jeff Sluman, the B.C. Open winner last week, and 1997 U.S. Amateur champion Matt Kuchar were in a group at 135.

D.A. Weibring, the Deere Run designer who won in 1979, 1991 and 1995, followed his opening 69 with a 71.

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Arnold Palmer, embarrassed by a round in the 80s, is close to giving up competitive golf and intends to reduce an already shortened schedule.

“I’m going to cut it back,” he said. “I hate shooting a round like [Thursday’s 84].”

As John Bland of South Africa took the lead midway through the Senior British Open at Newcastle, Northern Ireland, the 71-year-old Palmer shot a two-under 34 on the back nine at Royal County Down for a 75--a nine-stroke improvement on his opening score, which tied for the worst round.

Bland shot a 69 for a five-under 137 total to lead by one stroke over American David Oakley, who had a three-under 68, and former champion Bob Charles of New Zealand, who had his second 69.

Jack Nicklaus began with two birdies but managed only a 72. At 142, he is five shots off the lead.

Palmer returned to a limited tournament schedule after battling prostate cancer in 1998. He was visibly upset by his round Thursday and only slightly less so after his play Friday.

“Give it up? I’m getting close,” he said. “I’ll play occasionally. I’ll always play the Masters.”

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Qualifier Doug Johnson played bogey-free golf until the final hole, shooting a six-under 66 to take the first-round lead in the State Farm Senior Classic at Hunt Valley, Md.

Johnson is winless as a professional since quitting college in 1972 to pursue a career on the PGA Tour. He has qualified to play in only five senior tournaments this season and ranks 87th on the money list.

George Burns and Jose Maria Canizares were two shots back, and Bob Gilder, Bobby Cole and Jim Holtgrieve shot 69s.

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Se Ri Pak, Marnie McGuire and Maggie Will shot five-under 67s to share the first-round lead in the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic at Vienna, Ohio.

Pak played bogey-free golf while stamping herself as the favorite in a field that includes only eight of the top 25 players on the money list.

Leading money-winner Annika Sorenstam and No. 2 Karrie Webb skipped the tournament to prepare for Monday night’s made-for-TV match with Tiger Woods and David Duval at Palm Desert.