Conqueror Of Woods Shares Memorial Lead

The last time Tim Herron crossed paths with Tiger Woods at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, he beat the then 15-year-old whiz kid in the 1992 U.S. Amateur Championship.

The roly-poly power hitter with the very descriptive nickname “Lumpy” had another good day on the Jack Nicklaus course Thursday, shooting a 66 to share the first-round lead in the Memorial Tournament with Jesper Parnevik, Glen Day and Billy Andrade.

Woods, meanwhile, struggled at Muirfield once again, needing an eagle-birdie rally late on the back nine to save a 72 and avoid his worst round of the year.

Herron is one of only two people to defeat Woods in his 23 matches in U.S. Amateur play. Herron defeated Woods, seven years his junior, in the second round of the 1992 U.S. Amateur.

Scott Hoch was a stroke back with a 67 while Phil Blackmar, Guy Boros and Ernie Els were at 68. Jack Nicklaus, the 57-year-old founder of the Memorial and designer of the course, shot a 69.

Former Pullman resident Kirk Triplett shot a 70.

At St. Louis, Amy Alcott and Jody Anschutz each shot 4-under-par 68 to share the first-round lead in the LPGA Michelob Light Classic.

Alcott is one victory shy of the 30 required for a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame. The 41-year-old hasn’t won in five years and the round was her first in the 60s in eight tournaments this year.

Clarkston’s Robin Walton shot a 75.

At Lake Forest, Ill., East Tennessee senior Keith Nolan matched his career-best round by shooting a 5-under-par 66 to tie Pepperdine’s Jason Gore at 137 for the second-round lead in the NCAA men’s golf championships.