Hoch Shoots 65; Woods Struggles

L.A. Times Archives

May 31, 1997 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

Scott Hoch hit his share of errant shots in Friday’s second round of the Memorial tournament at Dublin, Ohio, but he knocked enough irons close to the hole and made enough 15-foot putts to shoot a 65, seven under par. That gave him the 36-hole lead with a 12-under 132, two strokes better than Tommy Tolles.

“I’ve been fooling a bunch of people, including myself, this week,” Hoch said after missing his own 36-hole record for the tournament by one stroke. “I’d like to feel better about my game.”

Tiger Woods knows that feeling. He shot a 75--42 on the back nine--and just made the 36-hole cut with a 147, 15 strokes behind Hoch. It was his highest round of the year by two strokes.

“I’m exhausted,” Woods said. “This course beat me up.”

Three strokes behind Hoch was Vijay Singh at 135. Guy Boros was at 136 and Lee Janzen and Jim Furyk were at 137.

Jack Nicklaus, the tournament host and designer of the course, shot a 70 and was at 139, seven back.

Gil Morgan quickly settled down from a shaky start to shoot a five-under-par 67 and take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Ameritech Senior Open at Long Grove, Ill.

Hugh Baiocchi was at 68 and six players were bunched at 70.

The second round of the LPGA Michelob Light Classic was suspended after a four-hour rain delay at St. Louis. Play is scheduled to resume today with most of the field due to complete the round and then move on to the third round.

Pepperdine senior Jason Gore shot a 71 to lead the Waves into first place in the team standings in the men’s NCAA tournament at Lake Forest, Ill.

First-year Pepperdine Coach John Geiberger was unable to watch his team play. He is isolated in his Chicago area hotel room with chickenpox. The team is being coached by assistant Kevin Marsh, last year’s team captain.

East Tennessee senior Keith Nolan is the overall leader at seven-under-par 206 for three rounds.

Dennis Trixler of Foster City shot a third-round 67 to win the 54-hole Queen Mary Open by four strokes at Lakewood Country Club.