Associated Press
Thursday, April 13

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- The Masters was last week. That's what champion Vijay Singh and the rest of the Augusta National contenders discovered Thursday in the MCI Classic.

Singh, applauded at every grandstand he passed, finished with a 1-under 70, four strokes behind leader Dan Forsman, who spent last weekend watching Singh on TV.

Almost none of those who chased Singh at Augusta could handle the windy, cold conditions at Harbour Town Golf Links.

Ernie Els, second in The Masters, had an eagle and birdie through his first five holes, but couldn't gain any more shots to end at 68.

Davis Love III, a Harbour master with four MCI victories, was tied with Forsman on the 18th hole. However, he sailed his approach into the marsh bordering the green and took a double-bogey 6 to drop into a tie with Els.

Things were just as unkind to others who fought for the green jacket a week ago. Tom Lehman took double-bogey on his final hole for a 70. Loren Roberts and Carlos Franco shot 73s.

Maybe David Duval, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were the smart ones. They didn't show up.

"It was difficult out there, no question about it," Singh said. "But I was happy with the way I hit the ball, kept myself focused."

Edward Fryatt, who earlier this year made eight consecutive birdies in the Doral-Ryder Open, and Sean Murphy were a stroke behind Forsman at 67.

Tim Herron joined Els and Love at 3-under, and Rich Beem and Frank Nobilo opened with 69s.

Forsman might have been the luckiest one on the course. He started early when it was merely overcast instead of the frigid wind that Love, Lehman and Els faced coming in.

After opening with a bogey, he birdied Nos. 4-7 and missed makable putts within 15 feet on Nos. 8-9. He landed a sand wedge shot within 8 feet for his final birdie on No. 10.

Forsman saved par on the 18th hole, known for it's red-and-white striped lighthouse in the background, with a testy 6-footer.

"I stepped up and knocked this thing right in the heart," said Forsman, who last led a tournament in 1998 when he lost to Duval in the Disney event in Orlando, Fla. "And I tell you what, it was a great feeling to shoot 5-under at Harbour Town."

Singh kept his poise despite the worsening conditions. He took bogey on his second hole, the 11th, and moved under par with birdies on Nos. 1 and 2. "I had to get myself under control," he said. "I think I did that pretty quickly."

Love birdied three of his first five holes and caught Forsman with a slippery 10-footer at the 13th hole.

But Love's approach on the 18th sliced out into the reeds, sinking into the Carolina swampland. He found several balls, then walked back to the fairway to re-hit.

After his 6, the crowd that remained sang "Happy Birthday" to Love, who turned 36 Thursday.

"I hit the ball great today, except for maybe two swings," Love said. "I hope I get the better end of the wind tomorrow."