Golf: Wilson, McLachlin tied for 23rd
Associated Press and Advertiser Staff
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Davis Love III is back on top at Harbour Town.
The five-time tournament champion shot a 5-under 66 today for a share of the first-round lead in the Verizon Heritage with Justin Leonard and Lucas Glover.
Dean Wilson, a Castle High alum, and Parker McLachlin, a Punahou alum, each shot 2-under-par 69 are in a tie for 23rd.
The 44-year-old Love has struggled to bounce back from tearing ligaments in his left ankle last September. On Thursday, he shot his best round since August and gave him confidence things might keep improving at one of his favorite locales.
"It's getting close," Love said.
There have been many oddities for Love the past few months. He failed to qualify for the Masters, missing his first major championship since the 1990 U.S. Open.
"That was weird," Love said.
He spent the week with family, hunting turkeys and only sparingly tuned in to Masters coverage to follow his buddy Fred Couples and Brandt Snedeker, who spend time in Love's residence of Sea Island.
Love also worked to tune up his game to compete at a place where no one's won as much as he has.
"You keep sticking the tokens in the machine, eventually you'll get it right," Love said.
Not that it'll be easy.
Leonard, the 2002 Harbour Town winner, is coming off a top-20 finish at the Masters. Glover had his best finish of the year in his last event, a tie for 14th at the Shell Houston Open.
A large group a stroke behind the leaders included two-time Heritage winner Stewart Cink and Camilo Villegas. Jim Furyk, ranked No. 9 in the world, was another shot back at 68.
Snedeker was also in the mix after a 70. He tied for third at the Masters with Cink but probably gained as much attention for allowing the emotions and tears to flow when his chance at a green jacket fell apart last Sunday.
Ernie Els figured as a strong favorite here given his status (world's third-ranked player) and Harbour Town history (seven top-10 finishes in nine starts). However, the "Big Easy" faltered with a 1-over 72 in a round that included only one birdie.
