Hallberg sets pace

Press, 13 April 1985, Page 80

Hallberg sets pace

NZPA-Reuter Augusta

Gary Hallberg took the advice of a physics professor three weeks ago and the lesson paid off yesterday in the opening round of the Masters tournament as he shot a sparkling 68. Hallberg, whose trademark is his “Indiana Jones” felt hat, fired his four-under-par round that put him one stroke ahead of his fellow Americans, Tom Watson and Payne Stewart. Hallberg started with a birdie and toured the back nine of the famed Augusta National Course in threeunder 33, but his run paled by comparison to Watson’s inward charge. Watson, who had what he called “a round that was like night and day,” was one over through the 12th. An eagle three at the 13th helped get him home in a five-under 31, one stroke off the record. He also birdied the 11th, 14th and 15th. Stewart, whose pastel

plus-fours and cap make him one of the most colourful dressers on the United States tour, birdied the 13th, 14th and 15th holes.

Ray Floyd, the 1976 Masters champion, the defending champion, Ben Crenshaw, and the PGA champion, Lee Trevino, matched the two-under-par 70s posted early in the day by a pair of young American amateurs.

John Inman and Sam Randolph, both collegiate stars plqying in their first Masters, combined the steely nerves of the uninitiated with fine iron play and soft touches around the greens for their 70s. Jack Nicklaus, the winner of five Masters titles, and the three-time winner, Gary Player, of South Africa, were among five players at 71, including Billy Casper, the 1970 winner.

Hallberg, aged 26 of Illinois, who has one victory in five years on the tour, credited his improved play

to a visit to Dr Ralph Mann, who also worked with U.S. Olympians. After programming Hallberg's swing into his computer using a stick figure, Mann told him he was sliding his right hip too much and holding his hands too low on the backswing.

Leading scores: 68— Gary Hallberg, 35, 33. 69— Tom Watson, 38, 31; Payne Stewart, 36, 33.

70—Sam Randolph (a), 33, 37; Ben Crenshaw, 35, 35; Lee Trevino, 35, 35; Raymond Floyd, 36, 34; John Inman (a), 35, 35.

71—Billy Casper, 36, 35; Gary Player (South Africa), 34, 37; Larry Mize, 36, 35; Scott Simpson, 35, 36; Jack Nicklaus, 36, 35.

72—Isao Aoki (Japan), 36, 36; Bernhard Langer (West Germany), 37, 35; Bruce Lietzke, 38, 34; Andy Bean, 34, 38; Lanny Wadkins, 33, 39; Severiano Ballesteros (Spain), 36, 36; Mark Lye, 33, 39; Gary Koch, 37, 35; Bob Gilder, 34, 38; Corey Pavin, 35, 37; John Mahaffey, 35, 37; Charley Coody, 36, 36; Jack Renner, 37, 35.