BERGANIO CONFIDENT.

Byline: Dave Shelburne Staff Writer

This time, David Berganio Jr. believes he is ready to play to his potential on the PGA Tour.

``Hopefully, if things keep going well for me, I'll have the year I plan on having,'' said the 32-year-old Sylmar resident, who started fast this month. His tournament-record-tying 64 at difficult Spyglass Hill took the first-round lead in the AT&T National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach.

Berganio, who will make his third appearance in the Nissan Open this week at Riviera Country Club, is one of 16 Los Angeles-area or former area Nissan entries and one of three - with Bob Burns and Duffy Waldorf - to learn their game in the San Fernando Valley.

Back full-time on tour for the second time in five seasons, Berganio was gracious about his strong opening round at the AT&T, saying perfect weather contributed to his bogeyless performance:

``If you're going to catch Spyglass when it's asleep, today is the day,'' he said afterward.

But the eight-year professional has been demonstrating for years his ability to play at a high level.

The former Alemany High star, who started playing at Sylmar's El Cariso GC, won the Pacific Coast Amateur and U.S. Public Links in 1991, added a second Public Links title in '93 and tied for 28th in the '99 U.S. Open after qualifying at Tarzana's El Caballero Country Club.

He earned his first PGA Tour card in 1997 with a top-15 finish on the '96 Nike (now Buy.Com) Tour. He regained his card this year by finishing 11th on the Buy.Com Tour in 2000, when he improved to fifth in career earnings on that tour.

``Some people are prepared a little differently and some are prepared more than others,'' Berganio said of the learning process necessary to reach the PGA Tour. ``I think I'm ready this time around.''

He credits Woodland Hills-based sports psychologist Allen Jaeger for helping develop the positive attitude to make the process smoother:

``I have a lot of heart and that's what's gotten me this far, having a lot of courage,'' Berganio said. ``I'm not afraid to fire away at anything, not afraid to play any course. But the thing is, when you get this far, you need a little bit more help and hopefully Allen Jaeger can get me over to the top.''

Berganio said just playing so long professionally also has helped.

``I'm just a little more seasoned, more experienced and that helps a lot'' he said, ``because, all your life . . . you play junior golf, amateur golf, college golf, and now you're thrown in with guys who have been out here for 20 years. That's a big difference.''

He believes he is getting closer because of what he sees in his play more than his scores:

``The difference between my 64s and 71s is whether I'm going to tap the ball into the hole or pull it out of the hole,'' Berganio said. ``There is really no difference. I hit a lot of fairways, I hit a lot of greens, I'm always around the hole.''

LOCAL LINEUP

Los Angeles-area players or former area players entered in this week's Nissan Open:

--David Berganio Jr.- Alemany High and Arizona alumnus won National Public Links twice.

--Olin Browne- Occidental College alumnus has won two PGA Tour events in past three years.

--Bob Burns- Former Cal State Northridge star won NCAA Division II championship in 1990.

--Brent Geiberger- Son of 1966 PGA champion Al Geiberger played college golf at Pepperdine.

--Brian Henninger- 1987 USC graduate has won twice in nine-year PGA Tour career.

--Jason Gore- Hart High and Pepperdine alumnus won State Amateur and State Open titles in '97.

--Bob May- Ex-Southland junior star from La Habra tied PGA Championship record last year.

--Scott McCarron- Two-time PGA Tour winner from UCLA is one of tour's longest hitters.

--Steve Pate- Former UCLA star was PGA Tour's Comeback Player of Year and Ryder Cup member in 1999.

--Corey Pavin- Former UCLA star won Nissan in 1994 and 1995 and was U.S. Open champion in '95.

--Tom Pernice Jr.- Was UCLA teammate of current Nissan entries Pavin, Pate and Duffy Waldorf.

--Scott Simpson- Two-time USC All-American and NCAA champion won U.S. Open championship in 1987.

--Craig Stadler- Former USC star includes 1982 Masters and '96 Nissan among his 12 tour victories.

--Paul Stankowski- Oxnard native shot 32 under par as runner-up in last weekend's Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

--Duffy Waldorf- Valencia resident and UCLA alumnus was NCAA player of year with the Bruins in 1985.

--Tiger Woods- Cypress-born winner of five majors has 24 wins in 94 professional starts on PGA Tour.

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Box: LOCAL LINEUP (see text)