SportsSeptember 21, 2001
LIGONIER, Pa. -- Nick Price put his mind back on golf Thursday and looked like the guy who dominated the PGA Tour in the days before Tiger Woods. Price made three birdie putts of at least 25 feet on the soft greens of Laurel Valley and finished with a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead in the rain-delayed first round of the Pennsylvania Classic...

LIGONIER, Pa. -- Nick Price put his mind back on golf Thursday and looked like the guy who dominated the PGA Tour in the days before Tiger Woods.

Price made three birdie putts of at least 25 feet on the soft greens of Laurel Valley and finished with a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead in the rain-delayed first round of the Pennsylvania Classic.

Per-Ulrik Johansson overcame a double bogey to shoot a 67, while Charles Howell III was another stroke back.

Only half the field completed their rounds because of rains that suspended play for more than four hours and caused the PGA Tour to scrap plans to halt play at noon for seven minutes of ceremony and remembrance of last week's tragedy.

Some players got in only three holes before play was suspended by darkness, meaning the second round will not be completed until Saturday morning. Of the late starters, Robert Gamez was 3 under through 11 holes.

Most players were happy to be on the golf course, a chance to temporarily get their minds off of terrorist attacks that have caused so much shock, anger and uncertainty.

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There were reminders all over Laurel Valley Golf Club, located about 15 miles from where one of the hijacked airliners plowed into a field.

American flags were attached to every pin and inserted into markers on the tee box. Tournament officials asked players and caddies to wear lapel pins of the Stars & Stripes, and reminded caddies not to put the flagsticks on the ground because of the flag.

Asahi Ryokuken International

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- Coming off cross-country car trips, Marianne Morris and Vickie Odegard shot 5-under-par 67s for a share of the first-round lead in the Asahi Ryokuken International.

Laura Diaz, who flew Delta Airlines from Portland, Ore., birdied two of the final three holes to join the lead group.

-- From wire reports

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