Hatalsky opens 5 point lead

Morris Hatalsky did not let a bad start get him down.

Hatalsky took advantage of the Modified Stableford scoring system, which rewards aggressive play, and collected 19 points Friday to grab a four-point lead after the opening round of the $1.5 million Uniting Fore Care Classic.

Back-to-back-bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes left the Senior PGA Tour rookie without a point. But Hatalsky made a five-foot putt at the par-3 seventh hole to start a run of four straight birdies, then closed with three birdies and an eagle over the final five holes.

"I didn't let the two early bogeys bother me. They only cost you one point. You can get it back quickly," Hatalsky said. "Stableford is a fun format. It's different and creates a little variety for us and the fans. I have a little more of an aggressive attitude in this format. I think most guys do."

The Modified Stableford system is being used for the first time at one of the oldest events on the Senior Tour. Previously, it was employed at the Royal Caribbean Classic in 2000 and 2001.

The system awards eight points for a double-eagle, five for an eagle and two for a birdie. No points are given for a par, while one point is deducted for a bogey and three for a double-bogey or worse.

With 19 points, Hatalsky broke by three the Senior Tour record established by Bruce Fleisher at the 2000 Royal Caribbean Classic.

A strong finish at the Park Meadows Country Club helped Tom Watson grab sole possession of second place with 14 points. Mike McCullough, Terry Dill, Hugh Baiocchi and unknown John Harris are tied with 12 points, one in front of Jim Thorpe, Don Pooley and Jim Ahern.

Hatalsky recorded four wins in 17 years on the PGA Tour. He has yet to win on the Senior Tour but has three-runner up finishes and is 14th on the money list with $865,424.

"My year has exceeded my expectations," the 50-year-old North Carolina resident said. "My goals were to get in about 10-12 events. I had no idea how the year would play out."

The highlights of Hatalsky's round were chip-ins at the 14th and 15th holes. He holed a shot from 30 feet for a birdie at the 189-yard 14th, then dropped in a shot from 25 feet for eagle.

"It's fun chipping in for eagles and getting five points," he said.

Watson did not have to chip to get five points at the 521-yard 17th hole, tapping in a two-foot putt for an eagle that left him four points from the lead.

As expected, the high altitude aided players like Watson.

"This course makes you feel like Tiger Woods, especially for old folks," he quipped. "Playing Stableford, you know you've got to make a bunch of birdies, and those eagles put you just that much further ahead."

Defending champion Steve Veriato had trouble adapting to the new system, picking up just two points to tie for 57th. Last year, he posted a one-stroke victory over Tom Jenkins, Bruce Lietzke, Graham Marsh and Jesse Patino for his only win in seven years on golf's elder circuit.

Veriato was outscored Friday by 72-year-olds Arnold Palmer and Gene Littler, both of whom had six points. Had the tournament used stroke play, Palmer and Little would have carded 71s.

"I didn't play any different than I would in a stroke-play event," Palmer said. "I hit the ball much better, but nowhere near where it needs to be. I had fun today."

Park Meadows is a par-72 layout measuring 7,327 yards. First prize is $225,000.

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