Sports Notebook Star-Bulletin staff

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Fans say Slam wouldn't be the same if it moves

POIPU, Kauai » Golf fans at yesterday's PGA Grand Slam of Golf don't want to see the event leave the island.

Negotiations to keep the tournament at the Poipu Bay Golf Course are ongoing, but the PGA of America is also negotiating with courses near Las Vegas and in Bermuda to possibly bring the tournament there.

"That's so sad (that it might leave)," said Pat Galbraith of Richland, Wash. "If they keep it here, I would come every year. Plus, I think it's more relaxing for the players here than it would be in Las Vegas. If it's in Las Vegas, I'm never going. I like it here, where there are fewer people in the crowd."

Wes Kaui, a member of the Kauai Police Department, who was on security detail for yesterday's first round and has attended the Grand Slam as a spectator in the past, looks forward to it every year.

"It gives us a chance to see a big, international event," Kaui said. "We would sure miss it. It's a plus for the island. A lot of people follow golf on this island."

Sorry, sort of:

Jim Furyk's approach shot hit a spectator on the second hole.

When Furyk was told by another fan that the ball bounced first, Furyk kiddingly asked the victim, "What are you whining about, then?"

Compliments:

Furyk and Geoff Ogilvy had said some nice things to say about each other (and Tiger Woods) yesterday after the round.

» Ogilvy on Furyk -- "Jim's the best scorer in the world. He seems to get the most out of every round he ever plays, which is why he's the second-best player in the world. He hits a lot of good shots, and when he does have a 40-footer, he hits it to a foot. He's a great putter and great chipper and does everything well. Pretty standard Jim Furyk round I thought (yesterday), pretty tidy and takes advantage of his chances and doesn't make any silly bogeys.

» Furyk on Ogilvy -- Geoff did play very, very well. He drove the ball well. He probably hit it as well as anyone or better than anyone today. He was in control pretty most of the day.

» Furyk on Woods -- Tiger is, obviously, when you talk about guys that can score and put the ball in the hole, I think he has that ability moreso than anyone else in the world of golf. That's why when he's not on the top of his game, he still has an opportunity to win golf tournaments and win major championships, where most people have to be playing their best in order to do that. Tiger was a little erratic at times where he drove it in the rough quite a bit. Good players tend to still shoot about 69 and keep themselves in position where they have an opportunity the next day. That's why he is very good, and that's what most of the great players in history are good at."

Frustrated:

Woods was not happy with the way he played.

"No. 1 and 18 (two of his four birdies) were solid. Next question," he said.

After some chuckles in the media room, Woods continued:

"Yeah, the other 16 holes were just not very good. I struggled today. It was frustrating. I had a two-way miss going, and I could hit it either way any time, not a whole lot of fun to play. Somehow, I was able to shoot 2 under par. I don't know how I did that."