Bizarre Opening for PGA Tour

Watney leads a field defined by odd accidents and unsettled weather
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 4, 2008 9:59 AM CST
Bizarre Opening for PGA Tour
Brandt Snedeker chips the ball onto the second green of the Plantation Course during the first round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship golf tournament in Kapalua, Hawaii on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)   (Associated Press)

Nick Watney emerged as the leader after the first day of the PGA Tour, finessing a 5-under 68 amid gusty winds, grainy greens, and sudden downpours. Scott Verplank finished at par after a dispute over whether it was him or the weather that moved his ball on the fairway, and Steve Stricker found that his umbrella was sabotaging his shot, reports the AP.

Brandt Snedeker found himself at 71 after a hairline crack in a driver doomed him to a double bogey on the 17th hole. Defending champion Vijay Singh ended up at a 1-over 74, and US Open winner Angel Cabrera had a 70 for the day. Why did newcomer Watney do so well? "It worked out today," he said simply. (More PGA Tour stories.)

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