Kite Stays on Course Despite Strong Winds

Tom Kite followed his course-record, nine-under-par 63 with a 69 on Saturday to take a five-stroke lead in the MasterCard Championship, the Senior PGA Tour’s season-opening event at Kaupulehu Kona, Hawaii.

Kite birdied five of the first seven holes, but had two bogeys on the back nine as the wind picked up on the Hualalai course. He took a 12-under-par 132 total into the final round.

“I wish it was a bigger lead, but any lead is a nice lead,” said Kite, who won the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in windy conditions.

After favorable conditions in the morning, the wind whipped up, gusting at 35 mph. The wind shook the palm trees, bent flag sticks and rattled some players.

Kite had a 31 on the front nine, and a 38 on the back.

“The wind hit us on the seventh hole and from that point on, it was just an absolute battle,” he said. “Very few opportunities to make birdies. It was difficult to stand over any kind of putt, whether a 30-foot putt or a two-foot putt.”

His first bogey of the tournament came on the 11th hole, when he three putted.

“The wind just moved that ball out of the hole,” he said.

His also bogeyed the 18th after hitting his four-iron second shot into a bunker.

John Jacobs had a 67 and was at 137, along with Walter Hall (69), and Bob Gilder (70). Brothers Lanny (69) and Bobby Wadkins (70) were another stroke behind.

Jacobs faced the wind for the last five holes, while Kite had to deal with it after the seventh hole.

“Yeah, I love it,” Jacobs said. “The only thing is, Kite’s shorter than I am, so it doesn’t affect him as much as the taller guys.”

Defending champion Larry Nelson, who was second going into the round, had a 74 and was at 139, tied for seventh with four others.

Hale Irwin, who won at Hualalai in 1997 and tied for second in 1998 and 2000, made five birdies and a bogey during his 68 and was at 141, along with Tom Jenkins and Gil Morgan, who each shot 70.

Martin Maritz of South Africa shot a nine-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead after three rounds at the Dunhill Championship in Johannesburg, South Africa. Maritz had nine birdies and was at 17-under 199 in the $786,000 tournament run by the South African and European tours.

Mark Foster of England (65) was second at 201, followed by compatriot Sandeep Grewal (68) at 202.

Ernie Els of South Africa shot a 63 and shared fourth place at 203.