Honda Classic R2 highlights - Golf News
The first round of the Honda Classic kicked off in inclement weather conditions on the par-70 Champion Course on Thursday. 31 players managed to break the par, while the rest faltered. Here is quick look at the highlights of the first round.
The runner-up of the Mayakoba Classic, Spencer Levin, surged into early lead after firing three birdies on snow covered tees. He was chased by five punters with a gap of one stroke, who painted an interesting picture at the end of the day. The five golfers
included four top guns, Y.E Yang, Stuart Appleby, Greg Chalmers and Charl Schwartzel.
One stroke behind stood the duo of Matt Kuchar and Jeff Overton. Kuchar is the tenth seed in the world, courtesy of his win at the Barclays in August. While, Overton is ranked 59th and is recognised for a superb performance in the 2010 Ryder
Cup.
An eleven-way tie was seen at the ninth spot, which included the world-number two Lee Westwood. The Englishman took the risk of using wedges on the frozen ground and faltered miserably. He scored four birdies, but dropped equal shots that eventually resulted
into a poor performance. Westwood is bidding on a major victory this year but since he has failed miserably on American soil. Two of the remaining majors take place in the US and it seems his chances to win are cut in half.
Meanwhile, his compatriot Luke Donald performed even worse. The 33-year-old winner of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship teed off from the back in the morning and triple-bogey-7 the second hole, which broke his confidence. The world-number three played
safely through the closing holes and resisted attacking the pin in the next seven holes. However, he tried coming out of the shell on the front, but dropped two shots on the second and the sixth hole.
Donald was furious at the weather, which started with snow and remained windy for the rest of the day. While talking to the press Donald said, “It was tough. I grinded it out pretty well. I will take that 3-over. I could have easily let that round go. I
wouldn't play in this.”
He was joined by Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell at the 45th spot of the leader board. The two Northern Irishmen performed terribly and failed to comprehend the course. McDowell bogeyed three holes, while McIlroy lost the ground on four. Despite
putting up a poor show, McIlroy was happy with his accomplishment. He birdied the fifth hole with a 5-iron, against the wind, which blew with a speed of 35mph.
The 21-year-old spoke to the press with utmost confidence and said, “Anything around level par today was going to be really good. It is one of those days where you just have to hang in there. You have to accept that you are going to have to get up and down
a lot. Putting was very difficult. I was really pretty happy with the day.”
Unlike McIlroy, Ian Poulter was extremely disappointed with Thursday’s game. The Englishman bogeyed four holes and compiled a scorecard of 74. The worst scorecard belonged to the defending champion, Camilo Villegas. The Spaniard carved a scorecard in shades
of orange. Orange represents bogeys earned in a round and Villegas had five holes shaded in the colour.
The round was suspended due to poor lightening conditions, but will resume on Friday at 7.30 a.m. according to American time.
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