Quigley back on course after medical scare

NEWPORT BEACH ? Less than a day after being taken to the Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian emergency room because of chest pains, Dana Quigley was back Friday for the first round of the Toshiba Classic.

Quigley, who has high blood pressure, said he was inspired to do so by his 92-year-old mother.

“She’s as tough as nails,” said Quigley, the 2005 Champions Tour Player of the Year. “She wouldn’t have stayed in the house today.”

Quigley received a blood pressure check 1 1/2 hours before his tee time. Still, he said he was not feeling well after shooting a 2-under-par 69 and notching birdies on four of the final seven holes.

“I still feel very lightheaded and weak,” said Quigley, who started the round by eating a banana. “They say potassium is good for you. I sure didn’t feel well.”

Quigley described his score for the day as a “miracle,” considering the circumstances, and added his ailment might actually have helped him on the golf course.

“It might be a swing saver,” he said. “It made me slow down a little bit.”

Quigley was not the only one worried about his health.

“A lot of people didn’t want me to play today,” said Quigley, who said he would play today.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

Long after Scott Simpson left the 17th hole, the crowd was buzzing about his tee shot. Simpson came within inches of acing the 158-yard par 3, one of the course’s most difficult holes.

“I hit it pretty well,” Simpson said. “You never know. It almost went in.”

Simpson, who hit a 6-iron, said he didn’t know if he would have won anything if he had gotten the hole-in-one.