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Castle Pines |
The International:
First Round Notebook (Aug. 19)
By Joe E. Cervi, Rockiesgolf.com columnist
CASTLE ROCK, CO. - The biggest misnomer in golf is in the Sprint
International's name itself. There is no sprint in the International.
There isn't even a fast walk. It's more like a saunter. Or a meander
perhaps.
Typical August weather in Colorado, you know, rain, lightning,
thunder and the like, stopped the tournament early in the afternoon
and play didn't resume until 5:15 p.m. Players were then called off
the course 20 minutes later. Because of the three-plus hour delays,
many players didn't finish first-round play Thursday. Players will
finish the first round this morning and then start the second round
immediately following.
Two-time International champion Phil Mickelson made a nice birdie on No. 9 after play resumed. Just before he hit his tee shot on No. 10, tournament officials blew the warning horn and pulled golfers off the course. Players like Mickelson found it tough to get in a rhythm. "I wish it would make up its mind," he said walking to the 10th tee box. Tiger Woods didn't let the delays bother him. He birdied eight after the first delay, then birdied No. 9 after the second one.
LA VIDA LOCA
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Sergio Garcia |
Spanish phenom Sergio Garcia finished his first official round
at the International with a plus-5 points. "I didn't play really
well," said Garcia, who's gallery was second in size to only
Woods'. "I was a little tired, but I hit some pretty good shots
and I missed a couple of good opportunities for birdies and a couple
for eagle. But it's not the worst round you could ask for."
CHAMPIONS UPDATE
The tournament, in its 14th year, boasts a strong field. It also boast some impressive past champions. Davis Love III, the 1990 winner, was among the leaders with plus-14 points Thursday. And defending champion Vijay Singh played well in the first round. The big man from Fiji finished at plus-11. All but one former winner (Lee Janzen, 1995 champ) made the field in the field.
Brad Faxon, 1992 champ, finished plus-8; Jose Maria Olazabal, the
1991 champ, finished plus-4; Greg Norman (1989) was a minus-7 on
his first nine but finished plus-7 on his back; John Cook (1987)
had a rough day and finished at minus-6; '94 winner Steve Lowrey
finished plus-2; 1988 champ Joey Sindelar was at minus-2; and Ken
Green, the tournament's inaugural champ back in 1986, finished plus-6.
Two-time champion Phil Mickelson (1993, 97) and '96 winner Clarence
Rose (96) didn't finish.
GATHERS NO MOSS
Perry Moss, a newcomer to the PGA Tour, was first alternate into the tournament. When Brandel Chamblee withdrew, Moss got the call 30 minutes before his tee time Thursday. He calmly went out and finished plus-8. Moss, who lives in Shreveport, La., made six birdies on the front nine and one more on the back. His round did include four bogeys. "I felt pretty fortunate to even be playing," Moss said. "I plan on making the most of it. I am in a no-lose situation. At the same time, once you get into a tournament, your focus goes right to the tournament and then you're just out there trying to do your best."
JAKE OUT
Fan favorite Peter Jacobsen withdrew after his round Thursday. Jacobsen, who finished with a minus-3 points, injured his ankle.
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