Rookie Takes Pga Lead

Bill Porter, a 35-year-old PGA Tour rookie, made a birdie and par following a 2-hour, 40-minute rain delay to complete a 7-under-par 65 for a share of the unfinished first-round lead of the BellSouth Classic.

Jim Gallagher Jr., who won his fourth PGA Tour title two weeks ago at Greensboro and stayed home with the flu last week, had four straight birdies at one stretch as he shot 65. His only bogey came when he three-putted from 45 feet on 17.

A thunderstorm halted play early in the afternoon, before five groups on each side had begun play. There were 10 threesomes still on the course when play was suspended for the day because of darkness. Among those still on the course, Phil Blackmar was 6-under and Tommy Armour 5-under, each with the par-5 18th to play.

Tom Kite, who won the Atlanta event three years ago, had a 66 he called “one of the most pleasing rounds of golf I’ve had in quite some time. I’ve been struggling.”

Kirk Triplett of Pullman carded a 3-under 69.