Two tied for Hogan tourney lead

FALMOUTH – Webb Heintzelmann of Bethesda, Md., and Pete Jordan of Chicago were as hot as the weather Friday as they share the lead after the first round of the second annual Ben Hogan Tour New England Classic at The Woodlands Club here.

Heintzelmann and Jordan each shot 5-under-par 67s over the tight, 6,808-yard layout in 90-plus-degree temperatures.

That puts the pair a stroke up on Jeff Gallagher of Marion, Ind., and two up on Steve Haskins of El Paso, Texas.

Tied for fifth are a trio of Texas golfers: Russell Beiersdorf of Dallas, Greg Hamilton of Jacksonville, and Roger Salazar of Corpus Christi.

Jordan was the first one to post 67, having played in the morning half of the field.

He started off by getting birdies on the first two holes, then parred the next seven to make the turn at 34.

Jordan started the back nine with three more birdies, then got to 6 under par with a birdie on 15.

He fell back a stroke immediately, though, as he bogeyed the short, par-4 16th.

He parred the last two holes for his 67.

“I’ve been playing pretty well the last couple of weeks,” said Jordan, 27. “I’m getting more confidence.”

Unlike some members of the field who played here in last year’s inaugural event, Jordan had played only one round here, a practice round.

“I talked to others who played here before and they told me how they were going to do it. It helped a lot,” said Jordan, whose best previous finish was a tie for 12th at the Lake City (Fla.) Classic in early April.

Heintzelmann, playing for the first time since Tuesday because of an injured wrist, had to battle the afternoon wind for more than half of his round in his attempt to catch the leaders.

“I prefer a golf course like we saw this afternoon because course management comes into play,” said Heintzelmann, 29.

Heintzelmann managed very well as he played the difficult course without making a bogey.

He also birdied the first hole, sinking a 30-foot putt.

His next birdie, on the long, par-5 sixth hole, was an easy one when he hit a 9-iron to 1 1/2 feet.

Sinking a 15-foot putt on No. 8, an 8-footer on No. 11, and another 15-footer on No. 13 put him into a tie with Jordan, but he wasn’t able to get another one on the last five holes.

“I missed a couple of opportunities,” said Heintzelmann, who lipped out a putt on 15 which would have given him the outright lead.

“I hope I can keep it going through the weekend,” said Heintzelmann. “The (left) wrist is the problem. Even the doctors don’t know exactly what’s wrong, some form of tendinitis.”

It didn’t bother him at all Friday, though, and he’s looking for more good play over the next two days.

“I’ve had a lot of success in the Northeast,” he said. “There’s something about the area here. We get along together.”

Gallagher had also reached 6 under after 16 holes, but bogey Gallagher had also reached 6 under after 16 holes, but bogeyed the final two.

The field will be cut to the low 50 and ties after Saturday’s round for Sunday’s finale in the $100,000 tournament. First prize is $25,000.