TPC of Michigan looks to bite back

TPC of Michigan looks to bite back
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AP Photos DTC101-102, 108-110
By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER
Associated Press Writer
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) -- Beware the TPC of Michigan.
The Jack Nicklaus-designed course was beaten badly Thursday during the first round of the Senior Players Championship, but with the weather expected to improve, things could change.
"Sooner of later, this golf course is going to bite back and is going to get its licks in," said Tom Kite, whose 6-under 66 was good for a share of second place.
Kite was one of 39 players to shoot sub-par scores and one of 22 to shoot in the 60s.
The tournament was preceded by days of rain that left the greens soft. Add to that virtually windless conditions, and it became clear early Thursday that the scores would be low.
"I think, as a player, you kind of watch the scoreboard to kind of give you an idea of how receptive the golf course is," said first-round leader Gil Morgan, who shot an 8-under 64 and finished his round birdie-eagle-birdie.
"So if you see some numbers up there, you just feel like, 'Maybe if I play well, I can get in that same category."'
And that's exactly what Morgan did, tying Hale Irwin for the best opening round in the Senior Players, the third of five Champions Tour majors.
"Obviously, I didn't anticipate this type of round at this point in time," Morgan said. "I just kind of kept going."
Morgan, a licensed optometrist who won the event in 1998, held a two-stroke lead over five players, including Kite and 2001 champion Allen Doyle.
"This golf course probably cannot play easier than it did today," said Kite, who played a bogey-free round. "I don't think I've ever played it when there was less wind out there than there was today, and at times, there was absolutely nothing."
Last year, only seven players broke 70 in the first round.
Thursday's stroke average of 71.73 was the lowest opening-round average in the Senior Players since 1994. A year ago it was 73.56.
Fred Gibson, Doug Tewell and Mike McCullough, who tied for second a year ago, also shot 66s.
Gibson, who has been limited to four events this season because of a low finish on last year's money list, had a birdie chance at No. 18 that would have given him a 64. But he three-putted.
"I've been playing well," he said. "I haven't been able to play because I haven't been able to get in, but when I have, I've taken advantage of it for the most part."
Craig Stadler, a Champions Tour rookie, was in a group of five at 5 under.
"You get the ball in play, and the greens are soft enough that you can fire right at the hole," Stadler said. "With short irons, you should make some birdies out there."
Bruce Lietzke, who won the previous Champions Tour major -- the U.S. Senior Open two weeks ago -- shot 70. Defending champion Stewart Ginn shot a 73, and Nicklaus had a 74.