Veteran Crenshaw To Direct U.S. Team

Ben Crenshaw, a four-time member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, was selected as captain of the squad when it tries to reclaim the Cup in 1999 at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.

The announcement Wednesday by PGA of America president Ken Lindsay came three weeks after the United States failed for the fifth time in seven tries to bring the Ryder Cup home, losing to Europe 14-1/2-13-1/2 in Spain last month.

“An event of this nature requires a strong and experienced leader,” Lindsay said during a conference call from PGA of America headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. “His attention to detail makes him an ideal leader for the U.S. Ryder Cup team.”

John Adams and Bill Glasson share the first-round lead in the Las Vegas Invitational after posting 9-under-par 63s in the opening round.

Tiger Woods opened defense of his first pro title with a 66 at the Desert Inn Country Club, the more demanding of the three courses used for the tournament. Former Pullman resident Kirk Triplett is two shots back.

Woods was named the PGA of America’s Player of the Year for 1997, giving him one of golf’s top awards on his first full year on the PGA Tour.

The 21-year-old Woods has 98 points, based on tournament victories, position on the U.S. Tour’s money list and scoring average through last week’s Walt Disney World Championship. Davis Love III was second with 70 points.

Robin Walton of Clarkston shot a 1-over-par 73 to stand seven shots out of the lead after the second round of the $25,000 LPGA Final Qualifying tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Maria Hjorth and Eva Dahllof share the lead at 138. The golfers are competing for 23 exempt spots available for the 1998 tour.