Sport

Bizarre par put new boy in lead

EMERGING talent Scott McCarron made a highly unusual par on his way to a share of the first round lead at the $1

Fri May 24 1996 - 01:00

EMERGING talent Scott McCarron made a highly unusual par on his way to a share of the first round lead at the $1.5 million Kemper Open yesterday.

McCarron holed out with a pitching wedge from 113 yards at the par three 17th after his tee shot had rolled back into the lake guarding the green.

That unexpected par kept his spirits up and helped him to a five under par 66 on a delightful spring day at the Avenel TPC.

McCarron was joined in the lead by fellow Americans Billy Andrade and Jay Williamson, one stroke ahead of a group of six including two time 1996 PGA Tour winner Mark O'Meara.

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McCarron (30), collected his first tour victory at New Orleans in March, and three weeks later tied for 10th at the Masters, his first major championship.

He needs to win here to be certain of qualifying for next month's US Open. Otherwise he will have to take his chances in the lottery known as sectional qualifying.