Wilson And Rowland Share Nike Florida Classic Lead

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- John Wilson and Roger Rowland share a one-shot lead over a tightly bunched field after firing 5-under-par 66s during the first round of the $225,000 NIKE Florida Classic at the Gainesville Country Club.

Wilson, a Californian who finished 17th on the 1998 Nike Tour money list, is playing in his first event this season. On December 21st of last year, he contracted the E. coli bacteria while getting three wisdom teeth pulled. Wilson lost a considerable amount of weight and is just now getting his strength back.

“My putter was warm today,” said Wilson, who needed only 25 putts on the 6,936-yard George Cobb-designed course. “It is great to be out here after missing the first two tournaments of the season.”

“I know the ins and outs of this course,” said Rowland, who was a Monday qualifier and lives thirty miles away in Ocala, Fla. “I have played in several tournaments on this course over the years.

“I have been playing pretty good lately,” continued Rowland, who was a member of the Nike Tour from 1990-95. “People have not heard about me because my wins have have not been in PGA Tour events.”

Several players are only one shot out of the lead at four-under-par. Shane Supple, Joel Edwards and Dicky Thompson, who shot 31 on the front nine, all fired 67s in the morning. Four other players finished the afternoon with 67s -- Brian Fogt, Tim Conley, Casey Martin and Joe Daley.

“I played well for the first time all year,” said Martin, who birdied all three of the par-5s. “It is nice to get a good round under my belt. I played solid today. I drove it well and made some solid putts.”

There is a logjam at 3-under-par with a 10 players tied for 10th place. Mike Heinen and Richard Johnson shot 68s during the morning round. Eight more players finished at three-under par in the afternoon -- Mark Hensby, Morris Hatalsky, Craig Bowden, Darrett Brinker, Chris Kaufman, Mike Meehan, Jim Estes and David Kirkpatrick.

Kaufman recorded two eagles on the back nine on the par-5 14th hole and No. 18, a par-4. He holed a 3-iron from 210 yards at the 18th.

Twenty players are tied for 20th place at 2-under-par.

Ryan Howison, winner of the last Nike Tour tournament, the Nike Lakeland Classic, posted an even-par 71 Thursday and is tied for 59th place with 19 other golfers.

Local favorite Cary Splane, the head pro at Gainesville Country Club, finished the first round at one-over-par 72 and is tied for 78th place with 23 other players.

The 144-player field includes 77 who finished at even-par or better. The Nike Florida Classic continues with second-round play on Friday.

Following the completion of the second round, the field will be reduced to the low-55 players and ties. The winner of the Nike Florida Classic will earn $40,500 of the $225,000 purse.