Williams improves from 2004 first-round score, but by not by much

STATELINE, Nev. - Carson High graduate Matt Williams, who is currently working several jobs for the Arizona Diamondbacks, has more time to play golf now that he's retired.

Perhaps that extra time is paying off for the former UNLV star because he posted a first-round Stableford score of minus-2 on Friday at the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Last year, Williams shot a minus-13.

Despite the improvement, Williams said he's still too busy to invest much time into golf.

When the Diamondbacks are in Phoenix for home games, he announces games on local television and radio stations and lends a hand as manager Bob Melvin's assistant. When the team is away, Williams has more front office duties. He also owns one-third of one percent of the franchise.

"It's a lot of different hats, but it's fun," Williams said. "I'm kind of feeling my way. It's different because you put the owner hat on and it's completely opposite of what you're used to. I find myself saying 'these guys want too much money.'

"Playing is easy compared with the mental part of all the things I'm doing now. It's more difficult than playing the game itself because you can let your natural ability take over when you play. It's thinking, which is a little different."

Williams retired after the 2003 season. He was a five-time all-star and finished his major league career with a .268 batting average, 1,218 RBI and 378 home runs. He won the World Series with the Diamondbacks in 2001.

Povich saves the day

Television talk show host Maury Povich had probably the best up-and-down of the first round. On No. 9, Povich's approach shot landed short and right of the green by 25 yards. His next shot was partially obstructed by the leaderboard.

However, his chip shot skirted the leaderboard, rolled past the pin onto the fringe of the green, where he then rolled in a 30-foot par putt to finish his round. Povich shot a 21 and remains among the top tier of golfers in the field.

Carr goes deep

Houston Texans starting quarterback David Carr won Friday's long drive contest at Edgewood. The 25-year-old NFL star beat out six other players with qualifying scores by recording a distance of 334 yards.

Billy Joe Tolliver finished second at 324 yards and was followed by NHL center Jeremy Roenick (317), former NFL quarterback Steve Beuerlein (310), former baseball great Carlton Fisk (306) and ESPN analyst Joe Theismann (301).

Roenick won the long drive contest in 2000 and 2002, Beuerlein in 2003 and Tolliver in 2001. The all-time longest drive was set last year by Brian Kinchen, who recorded a drive of 393 yards.