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GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
Toshiba Classic
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NEWPORT BEACH—Of Friday’s three first-round leaders at the Toshiba Classic, the pairing of Bob Tway and Mark Wiebe is as familiar as the ocean breezes and poa annua greens that make Newport Beach Country Club a renowned stop among Champions Tour competitors. The third member of that trio, however, is an unknown commodity. It’s Chein Soon Lu, who is partially exempt on the senior circuit and last recorded a finish at a PGA Tour-sanctioned event in 1983. The native of Taiwan qualified for Toshiba by virtue of a tie for ninth at the Allianz Championship two weeks ago. Lu birdied the par-5 18th hole to shoot 6-under-par 65 and join PGA Tour winners Tway and Wiebe atop the leaderboard. A quartet of players, including La Quinta resident Fred Couples and former Occidental College golfer Olin Browne, are tied for fourth at 5-under after posting 66s. Wiebe, who grew up in nearby Escondidio, overcame cold-like symptoms with a hot flatstick. The two-time winner on both the Champions Tour and PGA Tour needed only 24 putts and had 12 one-putt greens on a course known for tricky surfaces. “Your expectations are pretty low when you don’t feel well,” said Wiebe. “I was really concerned at the beginning when I got here on Tuesday afternoon, my speed didn’t feel right in putting. But I … putted so good today.” Wiebe looked tired and weak after his round, but the 50-year-old Tway was spry after putting himself in contention with an effort that included seven birdies and one bogey. The eight-time PGA Tour winner has yet to win on the Champions Tour, but he enjoys playing in Southern California and notched his first Tour win at Torrey Pines in 1986, when the annual event was called the Shearson Lehman Brothers Andy Williams Open. “I’ve always enjoyed coming to California,” said Tway, who is playing in his first Toshiba Classic. “How can you not? It’s a beautiful place.” Another Toshiba newcomer is Couples, who has picked up right where he left off after collecting a win and a runner-up finish in the first two Champions Tour events of his career. Still one of the longest hitters in professional golf, the 15-time PGA Tour winner needed nothing longer than a 9-iron on any of the par-4 holes at the short Newport Beach layout. He had eagle chances on both the par-5 15th and 18th holes but settled for birdies and excellent position heading to the final 36 holes. “I just like the way I hit the ball,” said Couples. “I drove it really well, which made the round seem pretty easy. A lot of times on some of the better driving holes I hit a bomb up there.” Browne, whose name has been in the headlines recently because his daughter, Alexandra, is dating PGA Tour rookie Rickie Fowler, had six birdies and one bogey. Also at 5-under are Lonnie Nielsen and Mike Goodes. Here’s how other notable players fared during the first round of the Toshiba Classic: • Ventura native and 2010 United States Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin had an up-and-down day with six birdies and three bogeys, winding up in a tie for 16th place with a 3-under-par 68. • San Diego native Scott Simpson, who finished tied for third when he last teed it up at Newport Beach in 2008, opened with a 2-under-par 69 and is tied for 20th. Also at that number is Murrieta resident and Champions Tour rookie Tom Pernice Jr. • Part-time Corona del Mar resident John Cook was hanging close to the lead for much of his first round until closing with bogeys on two of his last three holes. The 52-year-old shot a 1-under 70 and is tied for 26th. • Seventy-year-old World Golf Hall of Fame member Lee Trevino, the oldest player in the field, shot a 1-over-par 72 and is tied for 48th place. Saturday’s second round tee times have been moved up to an 8:30 a.m. start in an effort to conclude play before scattered showers reach the Newport Beach area in the afternoon. Click here for a complete leaderboard. Check back to Southland Golf throughout the weekend for more coverage of the Toshiba Classic. ALSO SEE: Shot From the Top is fun at 16 stories Five local players to watch at Toshiba Classic Breaking down the 2010 Toshiba Classic field John Cook ready for 2010 Champions Tour season Toshiba Classic persists, but Champions Tour stop at Valencia folds |
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