SENIOR GOLF : Hill, Stockton Tied for Lead in Wind and Wet
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NAPLES, Fla. — Mike Hill used a pair of back-to-back birdies to tie Dave Stockton at five-under-par 67 in the opening round of The Challenge tournament Friday.
Hill, who had birdies on Nos. 1, 2, 9 and 10, said the windy conditions made the 6,722-yard Vineyards course somewhat forgiving after two inches of rain the night before.
“The wind was the biggest challenge,” Hill said. “I would rather see the greens stay soft. I’m a low-ball hitter, which gave me an advantage in the wind.”
Stockton was two under on the front side, then birdied two of the last three holes on the back side.
“Last week (at the Caribbean Classic in Miami), I didn’t get the irons very close. Today I did and I made some putts, too,” he said.
Twelve golfers broke 70 on Friday. Jim O’Hern and Rocky Thompson were at 68. They each shot 32 on the back nine.
Go beyond the scoreboard
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