Craig Stadler's son leads Buick Invitational
Friday, 13 February 2004 14:03Kevin Stadler, son of former champion Craig Stadler, is currently leading the Buick Invitational.
Stadler, who entered the tournament on a sponsor's exemption, grabbed a one-stroke lead over Sweden's Jesper Parnevik and Ted Purdy, who also played the easier North course.
Kevin Sutherland shot 66 and was tied for fourth with Tom Lehman, Craig Barlow, Bob Tway and Swede Mathias Gronberg.
Spain's Sergio Garcia made three consecutive bogeys in the middle of his round on the North course but birdied the last five holes to finish at 67. He is among nine players tied for ninth, a group that includes US Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton, who had the best score of the day on the South course.
Defending champion Tiger Woods shot 71 on the South course, which will host the 2008 US Open, and three-time Buick champion Phil Mickelson came in at 74. They were all chasing Stadler, who is playing in his fifth PGA Tour event.
"Certainly, it has not sunk in yet," said Stadler, who played with his dad last week at Pebble Beach and tied for 61st. "I walked off the 18th green and I am in (the interview room) all of a sudden."
Stadler sank a 30-foot putt for birdie at the fourth hole and another from five feet at the eighth to make the turn in 32. He made birdies at numbers 11, 14 and 17 on the back side around his lone bogey at number 15.
Darren Clarke is six shots off the pace after shooting an opening round of 70.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
