Fri, 13 Jun 2003, 09:57 AM Part-Time Drag Racer Blake among Early Leaders at 103rd U.S. Open

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2003 Auto Imagery, Inc.

Jay Don Blake, a part-time Super Comp competitor in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is tied for second at the 103rd U.S. Open golf championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in suburban Chicago.

Jay Don Blake

Blake, 44, a resident of St. George, Utah, opened the prestigious four-round major tournament conducted by the USGA with a four-under 66 on Olympia Fields' tight par-70 layout, measuring at 7,190 yards. He made five birdies on the round, kick-starting his assault by draining a 20-foot putt on the second hole, a 400-yard par four. His lone bogey came at the demanding 496-yard par four ninth.

Blake, a 21-year veteran who claimed his lone PGA Tour victory in 1991, has no major titles but flirted with the lead at the 1989 U.S. Open at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y., before finishing in a tie for 18th. Blake also opened the '89 U.S. Open with a round of 66.

He is currently tied with Justin Leonard, and they trail leader Brett Quigley, who toured the 18-hole course with a round of 65.

Following his round, the media asked Blake about his drag racing interest.

"It's kind of a rush, a lot different from golf," said Blake, who has competed in two NHRA national events and two NHRA Division 7 events this season in his '57 Chevy Bel Air. "Drag racing is a hobby for me, I go out and mess around with it. Golf being the frustrating game it is, it's nice to go out there and just stomp on the gas and go as fast as you can down the track.

"It's a great way to relax and get away from golf. I've always been into hot rod motors, whether it's a car or anything that goes fast, I've enjoyed it."

Blake's strong play comes on the heels of another red-hot golfer who moonlights as a hot rod enthusiast. Kenny Perry, who attended the national event in Phoenix in February as guest of Pro Stock driver Mark Pawuk, earned back-to-back victories recently at the Bank of America Colonial in Dallas and the Memorial outside Columbus, Ohio. Following Perry's victory at the Memorial, there was no time to celebrate because he needed to head to Indiana to pick up a Pro Stock style car being fine-tuned by Billy Glidden, son of 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Bob Glidden.

Blake's quest to win his first major golf championship continues Friday at 1:40 p.m. (CT), when he will start from the No. 10 tee paired with Rod Pampling and Brian Gay. Television coverage of the tournament, which will conclude on Sunday, is provided by ESPN and NBC. Coverage also is available on the Internet at www.usopen.com.