GOLF
Kaneohe’s Wilson up front at Nissan Open
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES » Kaneohe's Dean Wilson has seen enough of the big hitters on the PGA Tour to realize there are tournaments that put him at a disadvantage. The Nissan Open is not one of them.
Wilson navigated his way around Riviera Country Club without a bogey for a 7-under 64, putting him atop the leaderboard yesterday with Justin Rose on a course that requires more than sheer length.
As usual, Riviera had something for everyone.
Wilson played for position, kept bogeys off his card and relied on his wedge to take advantage of the par 5s. Rose missed only three greens, putting from the fringe on two of those holes.
"You tend to hit your whole bag, from 3-iron to wedge," Rose said. "I don't think it suits one player or another. That's why it's such a good place."
They were two shots clear of a group that included Fred Couples, who skipped the pro-am Wednesday and felt his hands shaking over his first putt. He wound up with a 66, then went back to bed.
Tiger Woods was also feeling ill, although it had nothing to do with being allergic to Riviera. Woods, 2-0 for the year but 0-10 at his hometown tournament, recovered from an early double bogey by making four birdies in a five-hole stretch and finished with a 69.
Rounding out the trio of big names under the weather was Ernie Els, who sniffled his way to a 70.