Dawson Leads, Daly Is Close
Marco Dawson, who underwent back surgery only 10 months ago, shot a five-under-par 67 Friday in the opening round of the BellSouth Classic at Duluth, Ga., giving him a one-shot lead in the final tournament before the Masters.
Five players were tied for second, with John Daly part of another group at 69.
At 68 were 1997 BellSouth winner Scott McCarron, Steve Flesch, Chris DiMarco, Brandt Jobe and Kaname Yokoo. Defending champion Phil Mickelson opened with a 70, as did Davis Love III.
Daly won the BellSouth Classic in 1994, one of four victories in his star-crossed career. Dawson, 37, has never won on the PGA Tour and he’s playing this year with a special medical exemption after undergoing surgery last May to repair a ruptured disc.
*
Rain washed out play in the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf team tournament at St. Augustine, Fla. The event was reduced to 36 holes.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
