Golf technology took a kick in the shins from some of the leaders at the Beatrice Western Open.
Hale Irwin, Greg Norman and Paul Azinger all switched back to Bulls-Eye putters this week. Irwin, who used that type of putter in winning the 1974 U.S. Open and the 1975 Western, shot a 3-under par 68. Norman also shot a 68, Azinger a 67.
Norman went back to a putter he used early in his career, junking the Wilson 8802 model that helped him win the British Open in 1986. ”I fired my old 8802,” he said. ”It had been out in the sun too long.”
– Chicago`s Lance Ten Broeck shot an opening 68 with eight birdies and two double bogeys. Other area players didn`t fare as well. Defending Western champion Jim Benepe shot 78, Aurora Country Club`s Bob Ackerman 75, Hillcrest`s Steve Benson 76, Lemont`s Rick Dalpos 78, Barrington`s Gary Hallberg 75, Bryn Mawr`s Terry Russell 79, Thorngate`s Jim Sobb 75, Fox Bend`s Tom Tierney 79, Peter Jans` Kim McCombs 82 (a 10 on the 14th hole) and amateur Joel Hirsch 75.
– Former Waukegan golfer David Ogrin had a 1-over 73 in the afternoon but wasn`t too unhappy. He had but one birdie and two bogies.
”It was very boring,” said Ogrin, who now lives in San Antonio. ”I didn`t play bad. It was a little harder in the afternoon. The new greens-one, eight, nine and 18-didn`t putt as well. I`ll get the morning time tomorrow. The best thing I did all day was keep score for Bobby Clampett (68).”
– The PGA Tour`s new slow-play rules may be affecting this tourney. Two-shot penalties and $1,000 fines for violating pace of play started this week. The final group Thursday finished in a little over 4 1/2 hours, a huge improvement from the past.
– Blaine McCallister has had a hot hand at Butler National in his last two rounds. He finished last year`s tournament with a 65 and had a 66 Thursday.
”That`s not too bad,” said McCallister, who swings right-handed and putts left-handed. ”I hope I`ve got three more left in me.”
– Scott Hoch was cruising along the back nine at 3-under going to the par-5 15th. He crashed with a quadruple bogey 9 afer hitting a ball into the woods and then accidentally hitting his caddy for a two-shot penalty. He finished with a triple bogey 7 on the 18th for a 75.
