He didn't even practice on Tuesday, and Wednesday's pro-am was his only warm-up for the event - in blustery conditions unlike anything he saw on Thursday.
No matter. Wittenberg went out and shot a 8-under 63, good for a two-shot lead after the first round in Wichita.
"You need to get out there and make birdies," Wittenberg said. "Especially on a golf course like this, on a day like this. You've got to go out there and make some putts, and I made my fair share today."
After wind ripped across the golf course for the early part of the week, the conditions calmed on Thursday afternoon. The golf course was hit with 1.4 inches of rain on Wednesday night, and the soft greens combined with the lack of wind to provide plenty of low scores. 30 players shot 67 or better, and the cut (top 60 and ties) would have been 2-under if made on Thursday.
Wittenberg took advantage quickly, teeing off on 10 and making birdie on two of his first five holes, the 12th and 14th. The par-3 12th played as the toughest hole Thursday, but Wittenberg rolled in a 25-footer to kick-start his afternoon.
After negotiating the boisterous crowds at the par-3 17th, Wittenberg eagled the short par-5 18th after hitting a 3-iron to 15 feet. With an efficient putter, he proceeded to navigate the front in 31, capped off by a 25-footer for birdie at the 9th
"I was pleased with how I played," Wittenberg said. "I thought the course played fair. If you put the ball in the fairways and hit good iron shots, you had good chances at birdies."
Mission accomplished. Wittenberg hit 11 of 14 fairways, and he knocked the ball close enough to make six birdies and an eagle.
Rather than being content with his top-10 at the Open, Wittenberg immediately got back to work and came to Wichita. Currently 10th on the Nationwide Tour money list, Wittenberg could near-assure himself of a return to the PGA Tour with a high finish at Crestview CC.
"Last week was a great week, but last week's over," Wittenberg said. "This (the Nationwide Tour) is where my main focus is this year. I need to get the job done out here."
So far, so good. _________________________
Miscellaneous Notes from Day 1 at Crestview
- Kevin Johnson has had an interesting year, to say the least. After opening 2012 with two top-20 finishes, he went on to miss 8 consecutive cuts.
After a 65 Thursday, Johnson finds himself in a tie for second, in fine position to snap the streak of missed cuts.
"I know I can still play good golf," Johnson said. "But it's really been a struggle lately. I've had good luck here in Wichita, so perhaps this was just what I needed to get back on track."
A former champion at Crestview, maybe Johnson is right.
- Coming off a T15 showing at Olympic, Aaron Watkins struggled to a 2-over 73. After a 4-bogey, 2-birdie round, Watkins will need to turn things around in a hurry if he wants to stick around for the weekend.
Watkins' 73 at Crestview is higher than any round he shot at Olympic. Just a guess, but I bet the USGA wouldn't be too happy to hear that.
Crestview members, enjoy.
- Speaking of Crestview members, I had the pleasure of walking with one for a few holes Thursday, a lady who is housing Ryan Armour for the week. She said she has housed Armour seven times during the Wichita Open, and that she requested him specifically when she saw that his alma mater was Ohio State (her alma mater, as well).
She was rooting him on, but couldn't get him to do better than one-over for the round. The 72 leaves Armour in a tough position, where he needs a good Friday if he wants to enjoy his enthusiastic host's company for the weekend.
- Would you ever see players staying with volunteer hosts at a PGA Tour event? Don't think so. Just another aspect of the Nationwide Tour charm, where players aren't ashamed to save a dime if they can.
And the company probably beats a succession of cheap hotels.
-There was a dog repeatedly barking (very, very loud) outside a house near the sixth tee on Thursday. The dog was so loud that you could hear it all the way down the fairway, over 350 yards out. Looks like the 468-yard par-4 poses an added challenge for the week.
-Very impressed with the prices at the central concession stand. Two dollars for a hot dog? Beautiful. Could have been six on the PGA Tour.
-The par-3 12th saw a difficult hole location Thursday, tucked back-left on a green guarded by water left. It is no surprise the hole played as the most difficult on the course. If the hole location is more accessible Friday, look for scores to decrease, and for another hole - maybe the 6th or 7th - to play as the toughest.
No comments:
Post a Comment