Defending Champion, Four Other Pros Tie in Pro-Am With 68s

Defending champion David Edwards headed a group of five golfers who tied for top honors in the Los Angeles Open pro-am Wednesday at Riviera Country Club.

Edwards, George Archer, Greg Norman, Gary Hallberg and Bill Kratzert all shot 68, three-under par on the 6,946-yard layout.

Jack Nicklaus, seeking his first victory in the L.A. Open, was in a group one stroke behind. Also at 69 were Leonard Thompson, Lanny Wadkins, Jay Haas, Bernhard Langer and Mark Lye. Lye came to the ninth hole, his last, needing a par for a 67 which would have given him the top prize of $1,250. But he made a poor chip shot and wound up with a double bogey.

There was also a three-way tie in the team best-ball competition. Teams headed by Scott Simpson, George Burns and Miller Barber finished with a net 53, 18 under. San Diego Padre star Steve Garvey, resplendent in plus fours, was on the Burns’ team.