SANTA ANA PUEBLO — It's all coming back to Scott Hebert.

Hebert shot a 5-under opening-round 66 at Santa Ana Golf Club to lead the 42nd PGA Professional National Championship on Sunday.

The defending champion shot a 5-under opening-round 67 in the first round last year at Reynolds Landing in Traverse City, Mich.

"This is kind of eerie; I shot a 5-under the first round last year, at the opposite course," Hebert said. "I birdied the first hole (on Sunday), which is always good, and hit a lot of good shots and made a few nice saves.

"I wanted to get a good one in over here and it looks like that score is pretty good."

It should get harder for Hebert today.

He didn't have a bogey on what proved to be the easier course of the two being played by the 312-player field. Twin Warriors Golf Club, the course Hebert will play today, was unwilling to yield many low scores on a mixed-weather day that included plenty of wind.

"I had two nice par saves." Hebert said, "But other than that, it was pretty ho-hum — other than taking the jacket off, on, off, on because of the weather."

Of the first 10 players on the leaderboard, Vince Jewell is the only one who played
Twin Warriors.

The others came from Santa Ana.

Jewell, who played for New Mexico State University, scored a 4-under 67 to tie for second place.

In the first two rounds, the field plays each course once.

Henrick Simonsen was another rare blip near the leader board who actually played Twin Warriors. Playing in his first PGA Professional National Championship, Simonsen posted a 69 to tie for 12th.

He was helped by a 30-foot par putt on No. 17.

"I have never played in New Mexico before, but I believe after today's round that I have seen it all," Simonsen said. "We had sun in the practice rounds, then wind, then today some rain, some cool air and wind switching from all directions. You just don't know what to expect. If someone would have said to me that you will make a 69, then I would have been very pleased. I am absolutely delighted to be where I am after this round."

Las Campanas pro Bob May struggled on the front nine at Santa Ana in his first round, shooting a 5-over 76. Going off from the 10th tee, May shot a one-over 36, including a birdie on No. 15, on the back nine, but bogeyed three of the first four holes on the front nine as he wrapped up his round.

May will play the tougher Twin Warriors today in his second round, and needs to put up a good number in order to make the cut. May is scheduled to go off from the first tee at
1:40 p.m.

The tournament continues with its second round today. The cut will be made at the low 70s and ties. Both the third and fourth rounds will be played at Twin Warriors.

The tourney winner gets the largest share of a $550,000 purse and the 20 low scorers get a berth into the PGA Championship.

Notes: Jeff Hughes of Waco, Texas, making his debut in the Championship, was disqualified Sunday after completing his opening round at Santa Ana Golf Club.

Hughes signed for a 78, which was a stroke lower then what he actually shot. On No. 18, he had signed for a five when he had made a double bogey 6.

Hughes learned of his mistake after watching the coverage
on Golf Channel and reported his mistake to PGA Rules officials.

Mike Miles shot a 70 at Santa Ana in his first round, and was the only player in the tournament that played in last week's U.S. Open. Miles did not make the cut at Bethpage, shooting a 78 and 69 in two rounds.

42nd PGA Professional National Championship

What: Second of four rounds
When: Today
Where: Santa Ana Golf Club (Par 71)/Twin Warriors Golf Club (Par 71)
Field: 312 PGA Professionals; cut is low 70s plus ties
Purse: $550,000; low
20 scores earn a berth to the PGA Championship
TV: Golf Channel,
1:30 p.m.

Leaders

1. Scott Hebert (SA) 66
T2. Kevin Savage (SA) 67
T2. Chris Starkjohann (SA) 67
T2. Vince Jewell (TW) 67
T2. Chip Johnson (SA) 67
T2. David Von Hoffman (SA) 67
T2. Mark Sheftic (SA) 67
T8. Charles Meola (SA) 68
T8. Brett Upper (SA) 68
T8. Tony Kelley (SA) 68
T8. Mark Fuller (SA) 68
*SA Santa Ana Golf Club
*TW Twin Warriors Golf Club