Pavin's putting pays off at US Bank

MILWAUKEE - Corey Pavin's once-prolific putting is coming back, thanks to the return of caddie Eric Schwarz — and some hard work. Pavin shot a 9-under 61 and needed just 10 putts during the first nine holes as he set a PGA Tour nine-hole record of 26 en route to a three-stroke lead in the suspended first round of the U.S. Bank Championship. "It was amazing," he said. "I hit good shots close and converted the putts. It was a magical nine and very exciting." Arjun Atwal opened with a 64, Skip Kendall and Cameron Beckman shot 65s and David Frost also was 5-under through 17 holes when play was suspended. Defending champion Ben Crane and 105 other players were unable to finish the round because of severe thunderstorms. Only about a half-inch of rain fell and PGA officials were hoping everyone would be able to finish the first round and play at least 12 holes of the second round Friday. "I've been through this a million times," said Andy North, playing on a sponsor exemption here for the first time since 1999. He was waiting to tee off at the 18th when play stopped. "It's just sad for the fans who wanted to watch some golf," he said. Fans who arrived early saw an incredible performance by Pavin. After 10 years without a tournament victory, Pavin's putting has been in staggering decline this year — from 43rd to 175th on the tour. "I've just been working hard and waiting for days like this to come," Pavin said. "It's been a long time since I've won, but I'm out here working hard to do it." Pavin, a former U.S. Open champion and 1986 winner of the Greater Milwaukee Open, seems convinced he knows why he's struggled recently. "The biggest thing for me, my caddie Eric Schwarz came back on the bag after a six-month layoff," Pavin said. "We've worked really hard on the flatstick." Pavin, who had the veteran Schwarz as a caddie when he won the U.S. Open, said he's still the same golfer — or even better — than he was 20 years ago when he won in Milwaukee. "I certainly hit the ball further now," Pavin said. "I believe I'm a better ball striker. I just need to get out there and relax a little bit more on the golf course." Pavin started by holing a 39-foot putt on No. 1. He birdied the next five holes and a total of eight of nine to make the turn at 26. Pavin sank putts from everywhere, only leaving a breaking left to right one short on No. 7 and settling for par. He admitted nerves took over and he slowed down on the back side. The only putt he said he wished he had back was for birdie at No. 14, when he thought he'd hit the 7-footer square, but it ended up rolling by. "I thought for sure I had made that putt," he said. "But there weren't a lot of shots to get back out there." Still, his putting helped cover up the fact he only hit three of 13 fairways in regulation and bailed himself out with strong short iron play time after time. Kendall said he knows the feeling when one facet of a player's game is strong while another suddenly disappears. "The pieces are there. It's a matter of putting them all together," he said. "I haven't gotten off to a great start here in a number of years." One thing Kendall wasn't surprised about was Pavin's wild performance. "Out here," Kendall said, "anything is possible." Pavin's nine-hole score of 26 broke the PGA mark of 27 set by Mike Souchak in the 1955 Texas Open and matched by North (1975 B.C. Open), Billy Mayfair (2001 Buick Open) and Robert Gamez (2004 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic). -AP