Golf: Veterans head leaderboard

Veterans Jay Haas and Peter Jacobsen grabbed a share of the lead at the Greater Hartford Open in Connecticutt yesterday after firing seven-under 63s as Suzy Whaley overcame a shaky start to finish well.

Whaley, a teaching professional and the second woman to play against the men in 58 years, settled after a double-bogey start and birdied the 18th hole to card a respectable 75.

New Zealander Grant Waite was in contention after shooting a 68 and compatriot David Smail posted a 72.

Whaley, a 36-year-old mother of two, qualified to play in this tournament by winning a PGA sectional competition and ended the opening round ahead of 13 of her competitors, including a pair of former major champions.

The 1988 US Open winner, Scott Simpson, shot a 77, as David Duval - British Open champion two years ago - continued his run of poor play by recording an 83, the worst score in the field.

The world's No 1 woman player, Annika Sorenstam, also played on the PGA Tour in May after accepting an exemption to compete in the Colonial. The Swede fired 71 and 74, but missed the cut.

Both aged 49, Haas and Jacobsen are one shot ahead of Dennis Paulson, who was one of the few afternoon starters to score well, managing a six-under 64 to take sole possession of third place.

Craig Barlow is fourth with 65.

Twice defending champion Phil Mickelson, the world No 10, carded a 67 and is one of 14 players tied for 11th.

* Tom Watson extended his love affair with Turnberry when he carded a four-under 66 to share the lead with Tom Kite in the first round of the Senior British Open yesterday.

The two Americans go into the second round a shot ahead of a group comprising defending champion Noboru Sugai, of Japan, Britain's Russell Weir, Denis Durnian and Carl Mason, Americans Mark McCumber and Fuzzy Zoeller, and Ireland's Des Smyth.

New Zealander Sir Bob Charles opened with a one-under 69 to be right in contention, and former Open champion Jack Nicklaus, playing with Watson, shot a 71.

Watson, who defeated Nicklaus in the famous "Duel in the Sun" at the 1977 British Open, wrote a new chapter in the history of the Ailsa course with a fine round including five birdies and just one dropped shot.

"I have to say I got a bit lucky out there," said Watson, who won five Open titles between 1975 and 1983.

* American veteran Rosie Jones birdied the final two holes in a four- under 68 to snatch a one-stroke lead over Mexican rookie Lorena Ochoa at the halfway stage of the US$2.1 million ($3.58 million) Evian Masters in France yesterday.

Jones stood on nine-under 135, Ochoa had a 70 for eight under and American Juli Inkster, with a 72, and Swede Sophie Gustafson, who shot a day's joint best of 67, were tied for third, another two shots behind.

Two Australians remained in contention at 140: Karrie Webb (70,70) and Rachel Teske (70,70).

Jones, who will be 44 in a couple of months, won the Asahi Ryokuken International in South Carolina in May, and shows no sign of flagging.

New Zealander Lynette Brooky finished at 151, after shooting rounds of 80 and 71.

- AGENCIES