Ford dislikes course changes

Billy Casper (left) and Doug Ford prepare to putt on No. 8 .Jonathan Ernst/Chronicle Staff

By Larry Williams
Chronicle Staff

After concluding what he dubbed ``the worst round of golf I've played in 50 years,'' Doug Ford wasn't in a mood for reflection Thursday.

``I couldn't reflect,'' Ford said as he lumbered to the clubhouse, ``because I might regret what I'd say.''

Ford, who holds the record for Masters appearances with 48, shot a 22-over-par 94, one off the course record for the worst round ever.

``I think the USGA has too much to do with this golf course now,'' said Ford, a Masters winner in 1957. ``That's all I have to say.''

Ford was a regular on the Senior PGA Tour from 1980 until 1994, when he assumed a more limited role and began playing in 60-and-over Super Seniors tournaments. The 77-year-old plays often at his home in Lake Worth, Fla., where he owns a golf course.

Things crumbled for Ford early. He hooked a tee shot on the second hole that bounced off the head of a patron, then quadruple-bogeyed the par-3 No. 4 hole after leaving two shots in the front bunker.

He registered just two pars on the day to finish one shot short of the course record, a 95 by Charles Kunkle in the fourth round of the 1956 Masters.

Ford closed things out with a double bogey on the par-4 No. 18, giving him a 10-over-par 46 for the back nine. It was the same hole he birdied for a final-round 66 to win it in 1957.

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When pressed for particulars on the problems he had with the course changes, Ford said, ``Just look at it.''

Billy Casper, Ford's partner on Thursday, was a tad more specific on which changes he disliked.

``One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18,'' Casper said. ``How's that?''

Both Casper and Ford withdrew from the tournament after their rounds, though Casper's day wasn't as forgettable as that of his counterpart. The 68-year-old carded a 12-over-par 84 and birdied the seventh hole.

``It's still fun to play,'' said Casper, who offered a popular pick to win this weekend, Tiger Woods.

All wasn't depressing on the graybeard front Thursday. Tommy Aaron, the 63-year-old 1973 champion who is playing his 37th Masters, posted three birdies and finished the day in contention with an even-par 72.