Jacobsen contending with a quick rehab

NEWPORT BEACH — Peter Jacobsen has had two surgeries in the past five months and he hasn’t felt better in a long time.

Jacobsen played in the Toshiba Classic for the first time in 2006, but was forced to withdraw after two rounds, at two-under, because of his hip that had given him problems over the past year.

But five months ago, Jacobsen had hip replacement surgery and a week ago he had back surgery. He showed no ill effects in the first round Friday as he shot a five-under-par 66, good enough to put him in a tie for seventh place and one shot back of the lead.

Jacobsen snatched five birdies on the day and went to the driving range, then the putting green following his round of play.

“I had a good day today, good putting, good driving,” said Jacobsen as he stretched to prepare to work on his driving. “This is a really fun golf course. I really had a great day.”

ROBERTS’ TOSHIBA DEBUT

Loren Roberts, who leads the Champions Tour Charles Schwab Cup and finished second last year, is participating in his first Toshiba Classic.

Roberts planned on playing the tournament in his first year on the Champions Tour in 2006, but he said something came up. After finishing his first round two shots back of the lead at four-under, Roberts was happy he came.

“It’s a great golf course and it’s great to come out and see these great crowds,” Roberts said. “That’s what we like to see, the crowds come out.”

Roberts moved closer to tying Larry Nelson’s record for consecutive rounds at par or better (32) on the Champions Tour. Roberts’ four-under gave him 30 straight rounds of par or better, including 28 rounds under par. Of those 30 rounds, he has been in the 60s in 20 of those and is a combined 99 strokes under par.

HUBLEY A RARITY

Tracy Hubley has caddied for Chris Starkjohann for 10 years. She’s been there through his victories on the Nationwide Tour and to the Senior U.S. Open and Senior British Open.

Hubley, who is the only female caddie in the field, still gets excited women coming up to her at tournaments. Hubley said female caddies are a rarity on tour.

“They tell me ‘It’s so great to see a woman caddie,’” Hubley said. “It inspires them a little bit. It’s great because women are getting more and more into golf.”

But Hubley said she tries not to have too much pride.

“You can’t have pride because anything can happen,” Hubley said. “I’m able to help [Starkjohann]. He’s a good player. He’s a pretty straight and narrow play so there is not much hard work.”

WEATHER CHANGE

For the first round of the Toshiba Classic the temperature went from the mid 50s to the low 60s.

The final two rounds of the tournament are expected to reach much higher temperatures. A high of 74 degrees is forecasted for Saturday with a high of 83 on Sunday. The heat will be a welcomed change for most of the field.

“It was an odd day today,” said Allen Doyle, who is one back of the lead at five-under. “It started out sunny then cooled down just as soon as you start to work up a sweat. My hands are a little cold now. I’d rather it get hot and the sun get out.”

NO BOGEYS HERE

Jacobsen, Ben Crenshaw, Allen Doyle and Jay Haas all posted bogey-free rounds on Friday.

PORTABLE SEATS INVASION

The Toshiba Classic like all golf tournaments brings an influx of portable seating equipment.

Some people brought regular lawn chairs, while others brought something you would more likely to see poolside so they could stretch out as they watched the action. Quite a few people brought camping chairs that can easily contract to be hand held.

Many carried portable chairs usually only seen at golfing events. There were umbrellas that folded out to provide a small surface areas to sit on.

Don Christeson of Newport Beach had what he called a “sitting stick.” It was a metal pole that the handle folded out into a small leather space for sitting. On the other end was a metal spike, to secure it in the ground, and a metal circle to prevent wobbling.

“I also use it as a walking stick,” Christeson said. “I’ve had it for a long time. I took it to Europe with me, but you can’t take it on a plane anymore because it is dangerous.”