May 3, 2004

POWELL, OH — With Bill Bateson sitting out this year's Open Championship, the field is enjoying unstressed life.  The only problem is Bateson has the ability to fudge the On Tour Championship.

"He is always the big story in the winter with the exception of this year when Greg Long almost retired from golf altogether," Jay Dilks said Wednesday after playing in the pro-am for the Children's Hospital.

"But like Carl Spackler says, he may have played his worst tournament golf already, but but only time will tell. Everyone needs to play well to stay ahead of a player like Bill.  I will not play for last place, but Bill clearly has the ability to do just that."

Bateson has started this season very slow with a pair of 29 point efforts.  While that sounds like a terrible start, this is what Bateson does year after year.  He sets negative expectations out of the gate and then snaps off 5 or 6 great rounds.

His desire to get off to a fast start this year was slowed by a trip to Las Vegas that will keep him out of this year's first major.  "My driver is not very good right now and balls are being lost everywhere.  I'm hitting one or two good one's per month," Bateson said.

John McAninch had about enough with Bateson after his last posted score.  "This guy posted a 61 on the back nine last June and is fudging his cards with a pair of 49's at Deer Ridge.  The integrity of the Tour Championship is in jeopardy."

Bateson returned fire, "I am not that good.  Just because a player dresses like a professional and acts like he is good doesn't give anyone the right to expect results.  You really need to see me spray some of these balls.  You can't make 7 when you are two fairways to the left."

Bateson plans to better his game this year and make a run at the Tour Championship.  One thing is for sure.  Bateson will be in a fairway near you.