When the fun went out of golf, Keith Fergus packed up his clubs and went home. After two rounds of the Greater Greensboro Classic, he's glad he changed his mind.
Fergus, who quit the PGA Tour in 1987 to spend more time with his family, marked another highlight in his return Friday with a 5-under-par 67, a two-day total of 137 and the lead in the Greater Greensboro Classic.Hisayuki Sasaki, whose best finish in 10 years of professional golf was a tie for 31st in last year's British Open, was one of three golfers at 138 after shooting a 69 on the rain-soaked Forest Oaks Country Club course.
"I wanted to get back to see if I could do it," Fergus said. "Fortunately for me, I've been able to do it to a certain degree."
When Fergus left, his son was 7 and his daughter 3. In the previous season, he'd finished 142nd on the money list. He had barely topped $4,000 in winnings when he went home to Texas to watch his children grow.
By the end of seven seasons coaching the University of Houston golf team, the itch came back. His children were older and they didn't miss him as much. In March 1994, he told his wife he wanted to go back.
The NIKE Tour was his first stop, and he won two tournaments and more than $107,000.
He got back to the PGA in 1995, yet barely hung on, finishing 125th among the eligible golfers on the money list and retaining his card. He's going for his first victory since 1983.
Duffy Waldorf and Mike Sullivan were also at 138, with Waldorf shooting 65 to get near the top. First-round co-leader Guy Boros was at 5-under-par 139 along with 1991 Greensboro champion Mark Brooks.
Las Vegas Senior Classic
At Las Vegas, Jim Colbert put himself in position to win the Las Vegas Senior Classic for the second straight year by shooting a record 63 Friday for a two-shot lead after one round.
Colbert's 63 was the lowest score since the $1 million event moved to the Tournament Players Club at Summerlin three years ago. He won here last year with an 8-under 205 in his hometown.
"I didn't feel a lot of pressure coming in," Colbert said. "Between the (Senior PGA and PGA) circuits, I've won 22 titles and I've only successfully defended once so I didn't feel a lot of pressure."
Tommy Aaron, who had an eagle and a double bogey, and Bob Charles were tied at 65. Chi Chi Rodriguez, Kermit Zarley and Jack Kiefer shot 67.
Sara Lee Classic
At Nashville, Tenn., Marianne Morris took advantage of early calm winds to shoot a 4-under-par 68 Friday and take a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the $600,000 Sara Lee Classic.
Starting on the back nine, Morris grabbed three of her four birdies before making the turn, after which gusty winds prevented her, and just about everybody else, from getting any more.
Catrin Nilsmark-Wickberg, Shelley Hamlin and Robin Walton all shot 69 and were a stroke ahead of Michelle Redman, Amy Benz, Martha Nause, Helen Alfredsson and Meg Mallon.
Turespana Masters
At Valencia, Spain, Spaniard Diego Borrego shot a 5-under par 67 to take a three-stroke lead in the Turespana Masters on Friday, while countryman Seve Ballesteros shot a 73 and missed the cut by five strokes.
Borrego finished two rounds with an 11-under 133, keeping him ahead of Australia's Wayne Riley (67-136) and Zimbabwe's Tony Johnstone (69-136).