Golf Roundup : New Outlook Helps Verplank Shoot a 66, Tie for Lead

Scott Verplank, trying to live up to the promise he showed by winning a PGA Tour tournament three years ago while still an amateur golfer, shot a 6-under-par 66 Thursday to earn a share of the first-round lead in the $700,000 Buick Open at Grand Blanc, Mich.

Fred Couples, Scott Hoch, George Archer, Tim Simpson and Greg Ladehoff were tied with Verplank.

“I don’t care what I shoot,” said Verplank, who won the 1985 Western Open a year before turning pro. “I’m sick of trying to control my score.

“I tried to go out and enjoy myself. I’ve been in a terrible mood and haven’t enjoyed playing. I tried to go out today and not give a hoot and I had a great time.

“I’ve been trying too hard and I couldn’t go on like that. There’s no reason to get mad or up-tight.”

After earning just about every national honor while playing for Oklahoma State, Verplank has known almost nothing but disappointment on the PGA Tour.

He finished 177th on the money list in 1986 and 173rd in 1987, when his best finish was a tie for 20th in the Greater Greensboro Open.

So far in 1988, Verplank, 25, has missed the cut in 6 of 19 tournaments and has yet to crack the top 10.

“My problems have all been in my head,” Verplank said. “I’m already dedicated enough. I’m not loose enough.”

Mike Sullivan, Jim Hallet and Ray Barr Jr. were at 67.

Craig Parry of Australia birdied five of the first six holes and tied the course record with an 8-under-par 64 for a one-stroke lead in the first round in the $450,000 Scandinavian Open at Stockholm.

Mark Davis of England, Eamonn Darcy of Ireland and defending champion Gordon Brand Jr. of Scotland shot 65s to share second.

British Open champion Seve Ballesteros of Spain was 8 under par after 12 holes, then bogeyed three straight holes and finished in a six-way tie at 67. Craig Stadler was in a group of eight players at 68.