Former Rebels rise on first day

Adam Candee

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003 | 10:01 a.m.

UNLV men's golf coach Dwaine Knight made his way around the TPC at Summerlin course throughout Wednesday's opening round of the Las Vegas Invitational. With all the former Rebels taking part in the tournament, the coach had quite a full slate.

At the top of the unofficial UNLV leaderboard after 18 holes is Chad Campbell, who is also the former Rebel enjoying the strongest year on the Tour. Campbell blistered the Summerlin course for an 8-under 64, using a hot putter down the stretch.

Ranked ninth on the money list with more than $2.6 million in 2003, Campbell, 29, is feeling the confidence of a man who belongs with the pros in just his second full season on the circuit.

"I'm definitely feeling that comfort and it shows in the way I'm playing," Campbell said.

Not far behind Campbell is Chris Riley, who fired a 6-under 65 at TPC at the Canyons to open. Edward Fryatt and Skip Kendall both shot 3-under 69 at TPC at Summerlin, while Jeremy Anderson posted a 1-under 70 at Canyons.

After shooting an opening round of 8-under 64 at Summerlin, Cochran feels ready to add to that mediocre total and to break out of a yearlong funk with his putter.

"It's been a real roller coaster, playing on little or no confidence," Cochran said.

Firing a 30 over his final nine holes may add some confidence for the Kentucky native. Cochran responded to a bogey at No. 17 by posting birdies on seven of his final 10 holes to finish the day in a tie for eighth.

After going to Q-school to retain his Tour card in 2002, Cochran has spent most of this season toiling on the Nationwide Tour. The LVI is just his fourth Tour event of the season, and Cochran missed the cut of the first two.

Cochran began to come around at last week's Southern Farm Bureau Classic, finishing in a tie for 10th and earning his first Tour money of the year with $75,000. He would have a long way to go to finish in the top 125 and earn automatic exempt status for 2004, though -- Pat Bates currently holds that last slot with $466,519.

John Senden (111th) and Aaron Barber (141st) both shot 9-under in the opening round, while Jeff Brehaut (127th) and Bob Burns (153rd) fired rounds of 8-under. Mark Wilson (133rd) and Deane Pappas (183rd) both shot 7-under.