ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701240081
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
Steve Jones, whose triumph in last year's U.S. Open capped his comeback from a 1991 dirt-bike accident, shot a 9-under-par 62 Thursday for a two-stroke lead over Nick Price at the Phoenix Open golf tournament in Scottsdale, Ariz.
David Duval, Tommy Tolles, Joe Ozaki, Rick Fehr, Chip Beck, Jesper Parnevik, Rocco Mediate and Phil Blackmar had 5-under 66s. (Scores in Scoreboard. B6)
Chip Sullivan, who shot 12-under and cashed $3,430 in his PGA Tour debut last week, scrambled his way to an even-par 71. The Roanoke-based teaching professional hit just nine greens, but saved par eight times by making putts of 10 feet or more.
Sullivan needed a break to play Thursday. He made the tournament as second alternate when Mark McCumber withdrew late Wednesday.
``I got here, looked at the sheet and didn't see my name anywhere,'' said Sullivan, who had been notified by tournament officials last week he had a spot in the field.
``Then they told me I was a second alternate. I said you gotta be kidding me. But, luckily, I got in.''
Tiger Woods, playing for the first time since he won the Mercedes Championships - his third title in nine tour events - on Jan.12, needed a birdie on the last hole to finish at 68 - six shots off the pace.
Defending champion Phil Mickelson started early and had softer greens, but missed putts of eight feet or less on five straight holes and finished with a 70.
ETC. Jones injured in speedway crash
Davy Jones, the runner-up in last year's Indianapolis 500, smashed his car into a wall during practice in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., but regained consciousness and could be out of the hospital in a few days.
The 32-year-old driver was injured at Walt Disney World Speedway and transported by helicopter to Orlando Regional Medical Center. X-rays proved negative and his condition was upgraded from critical to serious.
Rick Galles, owner of the team fielding a new G Force Olds Aurora for Jones, said the driver was heavily sedated but woke up long enough to open his eyes and squeeze his wife's hand.
``There were no bones broken and it looks like he's going to be fine,'' Galles said. ``We think he'll get out of the hospital on Monday if everything is as good as it looks.''
The crash happened shortly before noon in sunny, mild weather and the cause wasn't immediately clear.
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Steve Jones coaxes a birdie putt toward the hole onby CNBthe 18th green Thursday at the Phoenix Open.