Associated Press
Friday, March 31

DULUTH, Ga. -- Paul Stankowski, who missed the cut in his last two events, shot a 6-under 66 for a one-shot lead in the first round of the BellSouth Classic.

Stankowski's lead held up Friday morning, as 39 golfers were forced to complete their opening rounds.

	Blaine McCallister had six birdies over the first 10 holes on Thursday.

Stankowski completed his round Thursday less than an hour before darkness halted play. The round was delayed Thursday for just under two hours shortly after it began because of lightning during a thunderstorm. The rain didn't have much affect on the course, which dried out quickly.

Stankowski, who won this event in 1996 when it was played at Atlanta Country Club, took the lead on the hilly, 7,259 TPC at Sugarloaf course with a strong putting game.

"I didn't hit the ball really well," he said. "I struggled with the driver, but the fairways are so big and there's not a whole lot of rough. It was one of those days that could have been a 72 in a heartbeat, but I am thankful it was not.

"It was more like my 'D' game, but it was my 'A' putting game. I rolled it well. I chipped it well. It was fun to get the ball in the hole."

He had plenty of challengers.

Phil Mickelson, winner of this year's Buick Invitational, led a group at 67 that also included Kenny Perry, Blaine McCallister, Steve Jones, Jay Don Blake and Jean Van de Velde, the French golfer playing his ninth event in the U.S. as he prepares for The Masters next week.

Eric Booker completed his round of 67 Friday morning to move into a tie for second, too.

Nick Price headed a group at 68 that also included Gary Nicklaus, son of Jack Nicklaus. Gary has missed five cuts in nine tournaments this year with his best finish a tie for 28th in the Honda Classic. His round included an eagle on the 541-yard fourth when he chipped in from 40 feet.

"It was the best ball-striking round I had all year," Nicklaus said. "I missed only two or three shots all day."

Also deadlocked at 68 were Joey Sindelar, Tim Herron, Dave Stockton Jr., John Huston, Brian Henninger, David Peoples and Tom Scherrer, who completed his final hole as play was suspended for darkness at 6:59 p.m.

Stankowski, who started on the back nine, rolled in a 5-foot birdie putt on No. 10, then scored from 15 feet at No. 12 and 30 feet at No. 13.

Playing a bogey-free round, he added two more birdies at No. 1 from 4 feet and No. 2 from 25 feet, then finished it off with a 6-footer for another birdie on No. 6.

Defending champion David Duval struggled to a 73. Paul Azinger led a group of nine at 69, defending Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal shot 71 and Justin Leonard 72.