G. Nicklaus shoots 65 in Florida Open

By Dunn Neugebauer
Courtesy of the The Palm Beach Post

Gary Nicklaus says he feels no additional pressure having a famous father. He certainly looked unburdened Thursday in the first round of the Florida Open, shooting a seven-under 65 at Sailfish Point that left him one shot behind leader Will MacKenzie.

MacKenzie shot a course-record 64 at Loblolly Pines in Hobe Sound.

Nicklaus, 34, was flawless, save for a bogey on No. 13 that he attributed to a "management" error on his approach shot. Nicklaus eagled the 10th hole, made the turn at three under, and rarely found himself in trouble on his back nine.

"Pressure is what you put on yourself," Nicklaus said. "I go out here expecting to do certain things and, if I don't, I get upset regardless of what my last name is."

He had no reason to be upset Thursday. He missed only one fairway on his back nine. He sank birdie putts on Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 6 and saved par on Nos. 7 and 8.

MacKenzie will play the Sailfish Point course today and Nicklaus will play Loblolly Pines.

Nicklaus will attend Q-School in two weeks. After losing his PGA Tour card after three years on Tour, he has used his time away to work on his game. He credited his improved putting for his solid opening round.

"Basically I feel fresh right now. It's not like I've been trudging around on the Tour these past few weeks. I've been here at home, spending time with my family, and getting a lot time to practice. I got to see my son turn a year old; that was a very special thing."

Nicklaus' partners -- Kenny Knox and Robert Floyd, son of Raymond Floyd -- came in at one over and one under, respectively.

MacKenzie, from, Greenville, N.C., made eight straight birdies midway through his round. His run began with a 30-foot birdie put on the par-3 seventh hole.

"The putts just started to fall," he said. "Early on, I was making some good par saves, hitting some decent putts. I don't think I've ever had more than six in a row in the past."

After today's cut, the final two rounds will be at Loblolly. Sailfish Point will allow spectators today. Tickets for rounds at Loblolly and Sailfish Point are free but must be picked up at the will call office at Massey-Yardley Chrysler Dodge, 8401 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound. Will call hours are 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. today through Sunday.