Watson Leads At Western

Tom Watson, a non-winner on the PGA Tour since 1987, returned to the event that produced his first victory and fought through strong winds to take the firstround lead in the Western Open.

Despite steady winds with gusts in excess of 30 mph, he shot a 4-under-par 68 over the 7,073-yard course at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club.

Fred Couples and Justin Leonard were another stroke back at 2-under. Greg Kraft, Craig Simpson, Bob Gilder, Guy Boros, Ronnie Black and Mark Calcavecchia shot 71s and were the only golfers under par.

The only amateur in the field, 19-yearold Tiger Woods, shot a 74. He was playing for the first time since a wrist injury forced him to withdraw from the U.S. Open.

U.S. Open champion Corey Pavin, who usually skips the Western to rest for the British Open, was lured by sponsor Motorola’s 67-percent purse hike to $2 million. Pavin also shot a 74.

Pullman’s Kirk Triplett fired a 5-over 41-36-77.