AUSTIN, TX, April 29, 2005- The 3rd Annual FEDEX-Kinko's Classic of Austin got underway on Friday at the Hills CC at Lakeway. The sun was shining high in the Central Texas sky but the day was contrasted by a hot and humid morning with little wind to an afternoon of gusts that kept 'em guessing.

In a field that consisted of nine native Texans the morning tee times faired better by far than those that went off in the afternoon. The top ten on the leaderboard all began their rounds before noon.

Golfer, turned TV golf analyst for ABC, turned golfer Curtis Strange is on top with a stellar 67. He's followed by Brad Bryant with a 4-under 68 (whose brother Bart won the Valero Texas Open last fall). Other top-ten'ers include Bruce Fleisher and Dana Quigley with a pair of 69's.

Chuck Westergard, who is the Head Pro at San Antonio CC, gained a slot in the tourney by tying for 2nd at the Monday qualifier at Barton Creek Lakeside and won a playoff to be one of two from the qualifier to get an invitation. Westergard fired a 2-under 70 to put him tied for 7th.

Scoring average for the field of 78 was 73.72 due mainly to the swirling afternoon winds. The par 4 9th hole proved once again to be the most difficult hole on the course with a scoring average of 4.75.

It was a tough day for some of the Texas boys with Crenshaw coming in with an 80, Kite with a 76, and New Braunfels resident Terry Dill at dead last with an 82. Bill Rogers of British Open fame and who is now at Briggs Ranch faired better with a 74 and Austinite Tom Jenkins shot the same.

Tomorrow's weather forecast has similar type winds but a dramatic 20 degree drop from the high of 92 we saw to day to only a high of 72 expected on Saturday.

Tee times start at 9:15am on Saturday and with the lower temps and winds it sounds like a sweater and windbreaker day at the Hills.

The no-cart rule for the Pro's that went into effect this year was waved today due to the high heat-index. With tomorrow's cooler temperatures, they'll all be walking.

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