Wind Can’t Blow Him Off Course

When the seniors opened their golf season on the Big Island of Hawaii in January, they expected wind and they got it.

When they came to Southern California this week for the $1.45-million SBC Senior Classic at Valencia County Club, they weren’t expecting wind. But for the second day of the three-day tournament, uncommonly strong winds for the Santa Clarita Valley played havoc with the scores.

Tom Watson, Tom Kite and Doug Johnson, who had to qualify for the tournament on Monday, handled the conditions better than the rest of the field Saturday.

Watson shot a three-under-par 69 for a two-round total of 141 to take a two-stroke lead over Kite, Johnson and Gil Morgan going into today’s final round.

Kite also shot a 69, Johnson had a 70, and Morgan, who was one shot back after the first round, shot a 72.

No other golfers in the field of 78 were under par after two rounds.

First-round leader Tom Purtzer shot 72 Saturday and is at even-par 144.

“Gosh, it’s calm in here,” said Kite when he came into the clubhouse after his round.

Watson had a similar reaction after coming off the course.

“Bet you guys are glad you’re not playing out there,” he said. “It’s a struggle out there.”

Not helping matters was the 6,905-yard, par-72 layout.

“This is the toughest course on our tour,” Watson said. “And the wind just makes it tougher.

“I never felt comfortable out there. It felt like I put my round together with baling wire and duct tape.”

Watson said there wasn’t much difference between the wind on Friday and the wind Saturday. It was gusting at 20-30 mph both days.

“It was coming from the same direction, and it was swirling,” Watson said.

Watson bogeyed the tough, 190-yard par-three third hole to go one over for the round.

“I made a bad club selection there,” he said. “I hit a six-iron that flew the green.”

Watson had four birdies and one bogey the rest of the way.

He hit his shot of the day on the 470-yard, par-four 10th. After his tee shot landed in the right rough, he sliced a three-wood 220 yards to within 15 feet and made the putt.

“It sliced about 50 yards,” he said. “It was a thing of beauty.”

Both Watson and Kite think playing in windy conditions gives them an advantage.

“I love playing in the wind,” Kite said. “I think I’m a better wind player than most of the guys.”

Said Watson: “I enjoy the wind. It’s the unknown factor, the most challenging factor. It’s like a chess game. There’s a lot of guess work. That’s where the short game comes into play, where you’re having to get up and down. And that’s my forte.”

More strong winds are forecast today.

Gibby Gilbert, 61, won the Georgia Pacific Super Seniors, earning the $39,000 first prize. Gilbert birdied the final hole of the two-day competition played within the SBC Senior Classic to break a tie with George Archer, 62, who earned $29,000 for second place. Gilbert, who shot a 71 Saturday, is at 145. Archer, with a 71, is at 146. It was Gilbert’s first Super Seniors victory.