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Gruden Shoulders The Load For Daly

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 7, 2008

PALM HARBOR - Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden was hard at work Thursday afternoon, but he was nowhere near One Buc Place.

Gruden was at the PODS Championship at The Innisbrook Resort, serving part of the day as the caddy for John Daly, one of the PGA Tour's most colorful characters.

The two hooked up at the Hooters Owl's Nest, which is near the 17th green on the Copperhead Course, during an afternoon weather delay, and Gruden said things materialized there.

"I was in the Owl's Nest leading cheers and was just awarded that opportunity, really," Gruden said.

Gruden began his caddy duties when play resumed after a two-plus hour halt and carried Daly's bag for the pro's final seven holes Thursday. The coach said the overall experience was a good one, but it did take its toll.

"It's not as easy as it looks," Gruden said of caddying. "His bag weighs like 450 pounds, man."

Daly, who is 3-over through 10 holes, was one of 72 players unable to complete his round before darkness stopped play Thursday. He'll be out on the course when play resumes today at 7:30 a.m.

But don't count on Gruden being out there with him.

"I've got work to do," Gruden said.

REKINDLE THE FIRE: Kenny Perry has rediscovered motivation.

As a born-and-bred Kentuckian he looks ahead to this fall's Ryder Cup competition scheduled at Valhalla Golf Club outside Louisville and wants to be part of it.

"Just practicing more, staying with it longer," he said. "I'm trying to stay with it to somehow get to Valhalla. That's my last goal."

Perry is well down the current standings, but with double points being awarded for this season's tournaments, he still has a chance - although it may take a win.

That's good enough.

"This is my 22nd year out here," he said. "It's easy to kind of lapse, here I am again. This is just another tournament. The Ryder Cup has really motivated me and really kind of woke me up a little for this year. It has got me focused and working at it again."

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: Lee Janzen, who grew up playing Greater Tampa Junior Golf Association events before going on to Florida Southern, is known as a two-time U.S. Open champion. The bad news is he has remained winless since the 1988 U.S. Open.

But if there is a place to break out it could be Innisbrook, where Janzen remembers playing as a junior and in college.

"I have been playing here for almost 30 years," he said.

On Thursday, playing on a sponsor's exemption, Janzen was 5-under through 15 holes when play was stopped, leaving him one shot out of the lead.

"I want to play well every week, but it does mean a little bit more when you've gotten a spot in the tournament," he said.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER: Jeff Maggert feels he has hit the ball well all season, but he just hasn't put enough good scores together to reflect that. Thursday's first round at the PODS Championship was a different story.

The longtime PGA veteran carded a 5-under 66, which put him in a four-way tie for second.

"I've always felt like this golf course suits me," said Maggert, who equaled his best round of the season with six birdies and one bogey.

The solid round put Maggert in a place he hasn't been after the first round many times this season - near the top of the leader board.

"I've been riding the cut line most of the year," Maggert said, "so it's nice to get off to a good start."

CHIP SHOTS: Kevin Na (flu) and Dudley Hart (shoulder) each withdrew from the tournament Thursday. Na completed his round at 76. Hart, who withdrew before beginning his round, was replaced by Jon Mills, who is currently 1-under thru 16 holes. ... Chamberlain grad Ryuji Imada shot the best round among golfers with local ties, finishing with a 1-over 72. Bradenton's Paul Azinger shot a 79, while Valrico's Michael Bradley (4-over thru 11) and Clearwater's John Huston (1-over thru 10) were among the players who did not complete their round. Tarpon Springs' Patrick Olive, a local qualifier after winning the Gasparilla Invitational, shot 84.

Mick Elliott, Adam Adkins

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