GOLF ROUNDUP : McCallister Sloshes to 64 to Take First-Round Lead

Blaine McCallister, unfazed by a chilling drizzle, shot a seven-under-par 64 for a one-stroke lead in the rain-delayed first round of the BC Open on Thursday at Endicott, N.Y.

McCallister made seven birdies at the par-71 En-Joie Golf Club, but he endured a 3 1/2-hour delay that prevented nearly half the field from completing the round.

The 75 players will finish today before the second round.

Billy Mayfair moved into a brief tie with McCallister at seven-under after 12 holes but bogeyed his 13th hole before play was halted for the day.

Lance Ten Broeck matched McCallister’s birdie total, but two bogeys cost him a share of the lead and left him at 66, along with Steve Lowery. Jeff Sluman, Billy Andrade and Ed Humenik were three strokes back at 67.

McCallister, who has not won on the PGA Tour since 1989, used timely putting to save par several times through the mist and fog.

He was two groups from starting the round when officials said the course was unplayable because of a morning-long rain. The storm eventually let up enough to allow the tournament to continue, but an off-and-on drizzle and temperatures in the low 50s still affected play.

Brandie Burton of Rialto, Calif., the youngest player on the LPGA Tour, shot a seven-under-par 65 to take a three-shot lead after one round of the Safeco Classic at Kent, Wash.

Burton, 19, had the lowest round of her career to go three in front of Laurel Kean, Rosie Jones, Mitzi Edge and Nancy White at the Meridian Valley Country Club.

Tied at 69 were Katie Peterson, Jody Anschutz, Shirley Furlong, Robin Walton and Pat Bradley, the Tour’s leading money winner.

Burton’s round was two shots better than her previous best. She has earned $134,443 this year.