Friday, August 02, 2002
Pate leads on eagle's wings
Weather conditions play major role in first round
The Associated Press
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. - Steve Pate capitalized on a 5-point eagle and favorable playing conditions to forge a first-round lead Thursday in The International.
Pate finished with 11 points under the modified Stableford scoring system used in this event. He was a point ahead of Billy Mayfair and Rich Beem.
Duffy Waldorf, Australian John Senden, Heath Slocum, Hank Kuehne and Jeff Quinney were at 9.
British Open champion Ernie Els was in a group at 8, and Sergio Garcia had a furious finish of birdie-eagle-birdie to get to 7.
Players earned five points for eagle, two for birdie, zero for par, minus-1 for bogey and minus-3 for double bogey or worse.
Golfers with morning tee times - including Waldorf and Senden - had to contend with swirling winds and hard, fast greens at Castle Pines Golf Club. Conditions improved in the afternoon, and so did scores.
“I went out for a newspaper this morning, and it was cold and windy,” Pate said. “I was glad I wasn't playing until this afternoon.”
Pate, who tied for second in The International in 1988 and 1990, started at No. 10 and had four birdies on that side.
At the par-5 first hole, he got his eagle, pitching in from 8 yards short of the green.
“An eagle generally is real good in this format,” Pate said.
That got Pate to 13 points. He gave back points with bogeys at Nos.5 and 9.
A member of the 1999 Ryder Cup team, Pate slumped to 151st on the PGA Tour money list in 2001, partly because of a back injury. He ranks 152nd this year.
“I've played well the last six weeks, so this round doesn't really surprise me,” he said.
Mayfair and Beem also played in the afternoon.
“Guys who played this afternoon got a good break with the weather and had a better chance to score,” Mayfair said.
Even afternoon players had to contend with slick greens, which Els called “quicker than I've ever seen them.”
Waldorf, who has four top-10 finishes and ranks 49th on the money list, birdied four of his first five holes.
Senden eagled the par-5 14th hole, then tacked on birdies at Nos.15 and 17.
Two-time International winner Phil Mickelson had minus-2 points.
Defending champion Tom Pernice Jr. had five double bogeys and fell to minus-9.
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Pate leads on eagle's wings
