Golf Roundup : Pavin and Barr Share Lead in Milwaukee Open at 66

Corey Pavin and Dave Barr, who met in a Greater Milwaukee Open playoff that Pavin won in 1986, each shot a 6-under-par 66 Thursday to share the opening-round lead of the $700,000 event.

Ed Fiori and Jim Gallagher were one shot back after 67s on the 7,010-yard Tuckaway Country Club course.

Larry Ziegler, Robert Thompson, Mike Bender, Billy Roy Brown, Tom Sieckmann, Brian Claar and Donnie Hammond were grouped at 68.

Included in a group of seven at 69 were Dave Eichelberger, a winner here in 1971 and 1977, and Joey Sindelar, a two-time winner this year who is second in Tour earnings with $688,000.

“The greens are as fast as I’ve ever seen them here,” Pavin said. “They’re really slick. I’m surprised the scores are as low as they are.”

Pavin has been in a year-long slump after winning two tournaments in 1987. He bogeyed two of the first three holes, but had five birdies on the back nine, including a string of four starting at No. 13.

Pavin’s top finish has been a tie for 17th and he said his poor play has been due to “bad habits physically and mentally.” But he said he has been working out of it.

Barr, a two-time Tour winner, has not won this year but has earned more than $237,000.

Charles Coody, seeking his first victory on the PGA Seniors Tour, shot a 6-under-par 66 to take the lead after one round of the inaugural $350,000 GTE North tournament at Indianapolis.

Dick Rhyan, Dale Douglass and Ken Still were tied for second in the 54-hole tournament at the Broadmoor Country Club.

Five players, Australian Kel Nagle, J.C. Goosie, Al Chandler, Lee Elder and Orville Moody, were at 68.

Doug Dalziel, Bob Boldt, Bob Erickson, Homero Blancas and Don Bies shot 69s, while Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Chi Chi Rodriguez were among a group at 70.

Britain’s Denis Durnian shot a 6-under-par 64 to take a one-stroke lead in the first round of the $500,000 European Open at Sunningdale, England.

Tied for second were Scotland’s Gordon Brand Jr. Spain’s Jose-Maria Olazabal and Ian Woosnam of Wales.