GOLF ROUNDUP Winds exact toll on Heritage field

Scores soared on the Harbour Town Golf Links at Hilton Head.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- Cameron Beckman handled the windy conditions at the MCI Heritage on Thursday, shooting a 4-under-par 67 for the highest leading score in opening round at the Harbour Town Golf Links since 1992.
Beckman made a 16-foot birdie putt on his last hole, the ninth, for a surprisingly high number at the 6,973-yard, par-71 seaside layout that often yields spectacular rounds.
Two years ago, Davis Love III, the defending champion and a five-time winner of the event, opened with a 62. In 2001, Vijay Singh and Doug Dunakey posted 65s to share the first round lead. The last time the opening-round leader had a 67 was in 1992, when Love grabbed the early lead and went on to win the event.
"You feel that breeze out there?" said Jonathan Byrd, who was tied with Heath Slocum, British Open champ Ben Curtis, Rod Pampling and Jay Haas at 68.
Price falls back
Nick Price, the 1997 winner at Harbour Town, was at 3-under after making a birdie on the par-3 17th hole. But his approach to the famous No. 18 lighthouse hole from 208 yards stopped 30 yards short in a sand trap. Price made bogey and fell into large group at 69 that included Masters runner-up Ernie Els.
"It's really hard with the wind the way it was," Price said. "It's difficult to pick the right club."
Els struggled while playing for the first time since his loss to Phil Mickelson at Augusta National last week. Els was steady enough with three birdies and a bogey, but felt drained just four days after the first major of the year.
Love's attempt at a sixth MCI Heritage title got off to a rocky start with a 1-over 72, which included a double bogey on the par-3 14th after he chipped into the water. The score matched his highest in his last 17 rounds at Harbour Town, but Love was still in contention on one of his favorite courses.
LPGA Tour
LAS VEGAS -- Cristie Kerr was in her element in the swirling winds, shooting a 3-under 69 to share the lead with three others in the Takefuji Classic.
Jackie Gallagher-Smith, second-year pro Stacy Prammanasudh and rookie Nadina Taylor of Australia tied Kerr on a day when winds gusting to 35 mph made the Las Vegas Country Club course difficult.
Kerr, who had six birdies and three bogeys, said the wind was no problem for her because she grew up in breezy South Florida.
Grace Park, who took the year's first major title with her triumph in the Kraft Nabisco, opened with a 72. Aree Song, a 17-year-old rookie who finished second to Park in that tournament, shot 73. Defending Las Vegas champion Candie Kung struggled to a 75.