Nelson & Thompson share lead

Larry Nelson and Leonard Thompson shot 6-under-par 66s today to share the first-round lead in the Senior PGA Tour's Boone Valley Classic.

Nelson, the 1998 winner, had six birdies in a bogey-free round on the rain-soaked Boone Valley Country Club course.

"I only missed one fairway and I was putting well," said Nelson, who won the Las Vegas Senior Classic last month for his sixth senior title.

"It was really important to drive the ball well because this rough is really tough. I'm happy to have made six birdies.

"I'm not portrayed as an exciting person and I think my round today was steady like I am."

Thompson had an eagle, six birdies and two bogeys in the round that was delayed for 4½ hours because of rain.

"I never really felt loose most of the day," Thompson said. "I don't usually play well in this kind of weather. My back was tight all day and I never did get comfortable."

Ed Dougherty opened with a 67.

"I had five birdies with no bogeys and that was sort of a surprise," he said. "I'm thrilled we got the round in and I'm thrilled to shoot 5 under."

Tom Watson, playing at Boone Valley for the first time, shot a 68 on the 6,723-yard course, 40 miles west of St. Louis.

Dana Quigley, the playoff winner last week in Kansas City, also was two strokes back along with Gibby Gilbert, Dave Eichelberger and Jim Holtgrieve.

Hale Irwin, the St. Louis area resident who won the tournament in 1997 and 1999, shot a 70. Arnold Palmer opened with a 77.

The players were allowed to lift, clean and place the ball in the fairway because of the wet conditions.

Thompson said he wasn't concerned that the tournament might have to be shortened to 36 holes because the weather forecast for Saturday calls for more rain, threatening the second round.

"I won my only tournament on the senior tour when the rain wiped out one round," he said. "It wouldn't bother me at all."

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