Parnevik jockeying for good start

KA LUA, Hawaii - Jesper Parnevik, one of the free spirits on the PGA Tour, rang in the New Year in style.

"We had a big party with about 70 people at our house," says the Swedish golfer, who lives at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, Fla. "We kept the whole neighbourhood up all night."

Parnevik and his wife, Mia, hired a disc jockey to spin tunes all evening for their guests.

"It was loud, mostly '70s stuff," says Jesper, smiling. "We kept going pretty late."

Two days later, Parnevik flew to the island of Maui, where he'll tee it up for the first time this year in the Mercedes Championships.

The limited-field tournament, featuring winners of last year's PGA Tour events and major championships, starts Thursday at the Kapalua Resort's Plantation Course.

Parnevik, 33, earned a spot by winning the Phoenix Open with a 15-under-par score of 269.

"I've been playing quite a bit at home, and my game feels good," he says. "I enjoying playing even though I'm off."

Parnevik finished 14th on the PGA Tour money list last year with $1,290,822. He was 12th in 1997 at $1,217,87.

Winning a major championship ranks among his primary goals for 1999. His best chance might be the British Open.

Parnevik enjoys links courses, which put a premium on accuracy and creativity.

He was runner-up in 1994 at Turnberry, Scotland, tied for second in 1997 at Royal Troon in Scotland and tied for fourth last year at Royal Birkdale in England.

This year's British Open will be at Carnoustie, Scotland.

"When the wind blows," he says, "it's a real tough course."

 

TW 7/1/99