Nicklaus' Opening 67 Looks More Like an '86 : Golf: He turns back clock at Augusta to trail Mickelson, Olazabal and Frost by one.

By THOMAS BONK

April 7, 1995 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Close your eyes, shut off your mind and it’s 1986 again.

Jack Nicklaus is 46, his hair looks as if somebody stuck a bowl over his head and gave him a trim, he’s taking target practice at flagsticks, and he owns the Masters.

There was that Nicklaus guy again Thursday at Augusta National, standing in the fifth fairway and air-mailing a five-iron at the pin from 180 yards away and nothing stopping the ball but the bottom of the cup.

The crowd around the green erupted in applause, which served as the announcement: The eagle had landed.

After shooting a 67 on a wet day at the Masters, Nicklaus is one shot off the lead, which prompts the question:

What’s going on here?

“Maybe I just get a little bit more keyed up here,” Nicklaus said.

You don’t win the Masters six times by being passive, so it was an interesting first round in golf’s playpen, where the weather softened the greens and the course played much easier than anyone expected.

Defending champion Jose Maria Olazabal, David Frost and Phil Mickelson found themselves tied for the lead after putting up six-under-par 66s.

Nicklaus is tied with Corey Pavin and David Gilford of England, and Chip Beck and Mark O’Meara are next at 68.

Now 55 and nine years removed from his last Masters title, Nicklaus seems intent on proving that he still is a force here in the land of the azaleas, dogwoods and pine trees nearly as tall as the Nicklaus legend.

He won the Tradition last weekend on the Senior PGA Tour at Scottsdale, Ariz., and found the whole experience sort of, well, familiar.

“I felt very confident with what I was doing,” he said. “I haven’t felt that way in quite a while.

“I’ve always been a pretty good putter, but I’ve never putted quite like I am right now. Don’t ask me why. I don’t want to find out.”

Nicklaus said he probably benefited as much as anyone from the conditions, which turned Augusta National’s rock-hard greens into green catcher’s mitts.

Frost was another who was singing in the rain, grateful that showers had softened the greens enough to hold the ball on his approach shots.

He was even more thankful that the fairways also were slightly softer, which made the course play longer.

“It definitely put a handicap on (the big hitters),” Frost said.

The Big Three of the big hitters were small factors on the first day. Fred Couples had a 71, Greg Norman a 73 and John Daly a 75.

Davis Love III was one ball-launcher unaffected by the course. He finished three shots behind with a 69 in a group that included Ian Woosnam, Lee Janzen, Hale Irwin, Scott Hoch, Wayne Grady and David Edwards.

When he checked the scoreboard and saw Nicklaus up there, Frost didn’t flinch.

“Up until 10 years ago, Jack’s done amazing things,” Frost said. “Up until last week, Jack’s done amazing things. I’m not surprised at all that he does what he does.”

Olazabal chipped in twice, once for an eagle on the 15th, and came up with a round that wasn’t too bad for a guy with a sore toe.

“Well, as I said, it’s not hurting while hitting the ball,” Olazabal said.

About the only thing that was hurting Thursday was poor old Augusta National, rendered toothless by the rain.

Mickelson set a record with his 66, the lowest score ever here by a lefty. At 24, he is the youngest first-round leader of the Masters. He is also making a comeback here after sitting out last year’s event because he had broken his left leg and right ankle in a skiing accident. He watched the Masters on TV last year, which isn’t nearly as satisfying as leading it.

“Obviously, this is a fun round,” Mickelson said.

Pavin had thought he might be in for a pleasant day when he was three under par after four holes. He was right. About the only shot he mis-hit was his drive on the 10th, which he clanked off a tree.

Without a major title to his credit, Pavin is getting a little weary of being reminded of it at every major he plays.

“Gee, that’s the first time I’ve heard that,” he said.

“I’ll just say that my goal is to win major championships and I can’t win major championships until I win the first one.”

Nicklaus has enough major titles to share, 18--six Masters, five PGA Championships, four U.S. Opens and three British Opens.

Could there be another in the works? Nicklaus hasn’t challenged here since he won nine years ago by shooting 30 on the back nine in the final round.

Pavin said it’s probably a good idea not to underestimate Nicklaus.

“Jack can still win here,” he said.

Masters Notes

Chip Beck shot a 68, then found himself in controversy. Beck told reporters in a group interview that his caddie had used a compass on the No. 12 tee. As it turns out, that is a rule violation and the penalty is disqualification. The Masters Committee checked with Beck, who told them the compass had been used in a practice round. End of controversy. . . . David Frost said that the first time he played with Jack Nicklaus was in 1986 at the PGA Championship. “He said, ‘Son, if you want to play out here with me, you’re going to have to play a little faster,’ ” Frost said.

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Masters Scores

LEADERS

Player: Round

David Frost: 32-34--66

Phil Mickelson: 32-34--66

Jose Maria Olazabal: 35-31--66

Jack Nicklaus: 35-32--67

David Gilford: 34-33--67

Corey Pavin: 33-34--67

Chip Beck: 34-34--68

Mark O’Meara: 35-33--68