1997 Mercedes Championships - Thursday Notes by
Martin Olivera
- San Diego Golf Pages
Tiger Attraction: The crowd today made it look like a Saturday of
previous years. By 8:30am the parking lots were full. Weather was great,
and the sea breeze was noticeable since mid-morning.
Followed Tom Watson all 18 holes. Shot 70 with two bogeys (#2 and
#17), and four birdies (#8, #9, #12, and #16). Used driver in all
par-4 and par-5 holes. Only really short putt missed was on #2 (2-footer)
after splashing out of left green-side bunker. Only missed 2 fairways,
and in one of them almost holed out his second from a fairway bunker
(missed the hole by 2 inches). Had a total of 29 putts, and hit 12
greens in regulation. He can sure hit those irons crispy. Played with
Ernie Els, who shot par and made a double on #6.
First DQ of the season: David Ogrin. Incorrect Scorecard -- On the
14th hole he marked his ball on the green and then moved his marker
one putter-head length. He forgot to replace it to its original
position before putting, and then did not assess himself a 2 stroke
penalty for the violation.
Only eagle of the day was Tiger's on #12: driver, 4-iron to 35
feet, 1-putt. He also birdied #3 with a 25-footer, and bogeyed #15
with a 3-putt (missed a 4-footer).
