Jacobsen Jostles To Top Of Board

By Ken Klavon, USGA

Town and Country, Mo. – Three months ago Peter Jacobsen couldn't fathom playing golf, let alone walking.

That's because surgery to repair his left hip rendered him helpless. Unsure that he could endure the rugged par-71, 7,117-yard Bellerive Country Club this week, Jacobsen checked off day one as a goal satisfied. But the bonus was that he limped into the clubhouse with the overall lead after firing a 6-under 65.

Craig Stadler was solid in firing a 5-under 66 Thursday, missing just two fairways. (John Mummert/USGA)

Jacobsen, teeing off in the afternoon and appearing in his first Senior Open, overtook Craig Stadler's 5-under 66 that had been posted earlier in the day. Jacobsen's 66 was the second-lowest score in an opening round at the championship.

Playing in his first Senior Open before hometown fans, Jay Haas carded a 4-under 67, followed by seven players who notched 3-under 68s.

Twenty-six players finished with under par scores due mainly to calm, humid and overcast conditions.

"The conditions were perfect today," said 2002 Senior Open champion Don Pooley, who was one of the seven to fire a 3-under 68.

After withdrawing the last two weeks, Jacobsen had mentioned to his caddie and wife beforehand that he'd go as far as he could. The non-weight bearing injury put him on crutches for six weeks and led to atrophied leg muscles. It was similar to the hip injuries that have cut short a couple of seasons for the National Hockey League's Mario Lemieux. The injury develops from plant-and-torque situations.

"The U.S. Senior Open, playing a great golf course, if I had only played nine holes today and had to withdraw, I would have been happy [that] at least I started," said Jacobsen, who shot 4-under 31 on the back nine.

Three 20-foot putts were part of three of the seven birdies Jacobsen recorded. The best of the bunch came on the 574-yard, par-5 17^th. Jacobsen laid up and then spun the ball back to the fringe before converting the long putt.

Both Jacobsen and Stadler played collegiate golf against one another -- Jacobsen at Oregon and Stadler at the University of Southern California.

"It's a great surprise to see our names on the leader board," said Jacobsen.

Surprised would describe Stadler's reaction on the ninth green, his final hole of the round. Stadler hovered over his ball that had been swallowed by the penal rough 15 feet from the hole. Arching an eyebrow, Stadler hit a lazy chip that picked up speed. The ball stopped a foot short, bringing a fist-bump from fellow competitor John Jacobs.

Stadler shrugged, forcing a smile. It had been that kind of day for "The Walrus."

Stadler rode the back nine to a bogey-free day. The 1973 U.S. Amateur champion just didn't make many mistakes, hitting 12 of 14 fairways and 17 of 18 greens. The missed green came on the 419-yard, par-4 ninth when his approach shot from the first cut of rough landed in the suffocating junk.

"I didn't make my mistakes until the last hole," said Stadler, whose 66 was the third-best opening round score in the championship. "I just didn't get into trouble."

As some players meandered away from the scoring area, several of them thought they had slept through the first three rounds. Hole locations were difficult, even though the greens average 8,930 square feet at Bellerive. In contrast, last year's greens at The Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, averaged 3,778 square feet.

"The course was fair, but it was extremely tough for a Thursday," said defending champion Bruce Lietzke, who shot a 4-over 75. "I don't know if they [the USGA] were trying to send a message."

Said Arnold Palmer after shooting a 12-over 83: "It wouldn't be an Open

	Jay Haas satisfied his hometown with a 4-under 67 in the first round. (John Mummert/USGA)

venue if it wasn't difficult. It's supposed to be tough."

Stadler used back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14, and 17 and 18 to shape the round.

On the 452-yard, par-4 18th, a hole that players cited as having a tough hole location, Stadler made a 40-footer. It was a location, tucked right, that Sadler called "marginal."

"But I made a 40-foot bomb so I certainly can't complain," said Stadler.

Haas capped off his round with back-to-back birdies on the 17^th and 18^th holes. He sunk an 8-footer on No. 18 to the delight of the gallery.

"I really felt like I left a few out on the course," said Haas.

"I didn't feel any more pressure. In an event like this and quality of field

like this, I feel enough pressure already."

Bellerive surrendered three aces. John Aubrey, playing in his first Open, used an 8-iron to card the hole-in-one on the 145-yard third hole. Amateur Pat Tallent also aced No. 3, while Mike McCullough notched his on the 179-yard 13th.

Story written by Ken Klavon, USGA Web Editor. E-mail him with questions or comments at kklavon@usga.org.