Fri, May 09, 2008

Golf

roundup

Baird misses fishing but is happy with 1-shot lead

The Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 03.29.2008
AVONDALE, La. — Briny Baird really wanted to go fishing Monday. That's his usual routine at the Zurich Classic, but bad weather kept him off the water.
Now, good golf will keep him on dry land this weekend.
Baird shot a 3-under 69 Friday in the second round to take a one-stroke lead over Peter Lonard (70) and Jay Williamson (69) at the TPC Louisiana.
"It didn't feel quite as good as probably the scorecard will make out," Baird said. "I didn't play as well today. My swing felt a little loose at times, but to get in with a 3 under, I was very pleased."
Baird birdied the final two holes. He is making his 254th career start on the tour without a victory. His best finishes were a tie for second at the 2001 John Deere Classic, and ties for second at the 2003 Buick Open and the 2004 Funai Classic.
Champions Tour
PALM COAST, Fla. — Lonnie Nielsen, a career club professional who had a mediocre PGA Tour career, birdied six of his last 10 holes Friday for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead in the Ginn Championship.
Bernhard Langer and Fred Funk opened with 67s on the Ocean Hammock Golf Club course, and David Edwards and Gene E. Jones had 68s.
Craig Stadler was among those at 69, and defending champ Keith Fergus and Tom Watson were at 70.
Nielsen played the PGA Tour from 1978-83. His best finish was a tie for fifth in the 1979 Quad Cities Open. He worked as a club pro in New York state and qualified for the Champions Tour in 2003. Nielsen has won once, the 2007 Commerce Bank Championship.
"I'm feeling more comfortable out here," Nielsen said. "That's half the battle. It sounds simple, but it's a lot tougher than it sounds."
European Tour
PUERTO BANUS, Spain — Peter Hedblom and Matthew Millar shared the lead by one stroke after Friday's second round of the Andalucia Open.
Hedblom shot an 8-under 67; Millar had a 69 to total 8-under 136 at Aloha Golf Club.
Robert Dinwiddie (65), Thomas Levet (68) and David Lynn (67) were tied for third at 137.