Associated Press
Friday, April 14

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Japan's Seiji Ebihara was surprised to get an invitation to play at the PGA Seniors' Championship.

	Hubert Green is one off the pace after making three birdies and no bogeys during his opening round.

He didn't expect to shoot under par, and he certainly didn't envision being atop the leaderboard after the first day. Ebihara shot a 4-under 68 in Thursday's suspended first round.

Fifty-two players were unable to complete the round because of darkness after the threat of lightning interrupted play twice for a total of 2 hours, 57 minutes.

It had little effect on Ebihara, a 51-year-old regular on the Japan's Senior Tour.

Playing in only his third event in the United States, Ebihara had three birdies and a bogey on each nine. One bogey came at the par-4 eighth when he missed the green with his second shot, his first stroke after the initial rain delay.

When he returned to the course the second time, he sank a putt of about 6 feet to save par at No. 12. He holed a 25-foot chip from behind the 16th green for his final birdie.

"I got here Sunday, played three practice rounds and I never expected to shoot under par. This is a very difficult golf course," Ebihara said through an interpreter. "I would like to play some more tournaments. If not, I will go back to Japan next week."

Doug Tewell, playing his first full season on the Senior Tour, was 4-under through 15 holes on PGA National's Champion course.

Hubert Green, the 1977 U.S. Open winner and 1985 PGA champion, was a stroke back, along with Gibby Gilbert and Dana Quigley. Green and Gilbert played bogey-free golf with three birdies.

Quigley, playing for the 87th consecutive week and the 100th straight tournament in which he has been eligible, made four birdies and a bogey, all on the back nine.

Christy O'Connor Jr., was 3-under through 12.

Hale Irwin, seeking his fourth victory in the tournament in five years, and Larry Nelson, the 1987 PGA winner at PGA National, topped a six-player group at 70.

Defending champion Allen Doyle was still on the course when darkness halted play. He was 1-under through 12 holes.

Tom Watson and Lee Trevino shot 72s, Lanny Wadkins and Gary Player shot 75s, and Bruce Fleisher had a 77.

When 36 holes are completed, likely Saturday evening, the field will be cut to the low 70 and ties.