Reid, 'Beer Man' one shot back
Updated: March 11, 2005, 10:08 PM ET
Associated Press
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. -- Isao Aoki shot a 3-under 69 in difficult scoring conditions Friday to take a one-stroke lead over Mike Reid and Champions Tour rookie Mark Johnson after the first round of the SBC Classic.
Aoki, the 62-year-old Japanese star who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame last year, had five birdies and two bogeys on the Valencia Country Club course as wind, thick rough and fast greens sent scores soaring.
"I just hope I can keep it going tomorrow,'' Aoki said. "It was very difficult controlling the ball today. I'm very happy with five birdies.''
Johnson, known as the "Beer Man'' because he drove a Budweiser truck for 18 years before turning pro, had an eagle, four birdies and four bogeys.
"I could have done without the bogeys, but overall, I'm happy,'' he said.
Johnson, one of California's top amateurs before turning pro, is beginning to feel more comfortable playing against players he used to watch on television.
"It was a little strange at first,'' he said. "I would be out on the range hitting balls next to guys like Hale Irwin and other great players. I was in awe of those guys and now I'm competing against them.
"I have set some high goals for myself, but I think they are attainable. I want to finish in the top 30 or the top 50. I know I have the game to do that, I just need to be very consistent.''
Reid had an eagle, four birdies and four bogeys.
"It was an interesting round,'' Reid said. "I chipped in twice and rolled a 20-footer, but I also three-putted from a foot. Sometimes on a day like today, your humanness gets exposed out here and it can be embarrassing.''
Raymond Floyd, Des Smyth, Bob Gilder and D.A. Weibring opened with 71s, and Craig Stadler, Jerry Pate, Mark McNulty, Tom Purtzer, Don Pooley, Keith Fergus and Don Reese shot 72s.
Irwin had a 73, ending his string of under-par rounds at 11. Irwin is coming off a victory two weeks ago in the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am, the 59-year-old star's tour-record 42nd title and second of the season.
Divots
John Jacobs was treated for dehydration after being carried off the 18th green and transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. ... Defending champion Gil Morgan opened with a 76. ... Billy Mayfair beat Tiger Woods in a playoff at Valencia in the 1998 Nissan Open.
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press
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