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Who’s main after day one? The climate. And it might be main after day two. And even day three. Throughout Thursday’s first spherical of the Gamers Championship, not solely did storms cease play for hours, it paused the problem at TPC Sawgrass, softening greens and forcing officers to permit the beneficiant lift-clean-and-place rule for gamers. As for the times forward? Extra rain is on the best way, and a Monday end seems seemingly. Finally, a winner will probably be topped, however for now, climate is forward. Listed below are three issues it’s worthwhile to know after Thursday’s play in Ponte Vedra Seashore, Fla.
Tommy Fleetwood and Tom Hoge lead
After an hour delay to begin the day and a second, lengthier halt later, golf was ultimately performed, and Tommy Fleetwood and Tom Hoge took benefit of the softer circumstances greatest. Every shot a six-under 66 to seize a one-stroke lead over 4 gamers, although 17 gamers had both but to complete a gap and even begin, and lots of extra have been only a few pictures into their first rounds.
Fleetwood and Hoge every bogeyed one gap, with Fleetwood making seven birdies, and Hoge 5 and an eagle.
“It’s a terrific first day,” Fleetwood stated. “I’m happy to be in on that rating. I felt like I drove the ball effectively apart from a pair, and I felt like I chipped and putted nice. For certain, like that was essentially the most I might have gotten out of the spherical. So days like which can be very, very pleasing.
“I believe there’s issues that I can do higher. So I’ll attempt to do this over the subsequent few days. Once more, I’m not going to complain concerning the day or something. I’ll simply transfer on and be pleased with a 66.”
Joaquin Niemann amongst these a shot again
At five-under have been Joaquin Niemann, the winner eventually month’s Genesis Invitational; Kramer Hickok; Keith Mitchell; and Anirban Lahiri. Two again of the lead have been Brian Harman, Sam Burns and Abraham Ancer, and eight gamers, together with world No. 1 Jon Rahm, have been at three-under.
“It was like two rounds I performed at this time,” stated Rahm, referring to the delay. “It was good. I used to be taking part in — I’d say it wasn’t my greatest day tee to inexperienced, perhaps not my greatest day with the irons, however fortunately quick sport was good. Form of reverse to what it’s been the previous couple of months. I used to be in a position to put up a rating.”
Defending champion Justin Thomas amongst these nonetheless on the course
Amongst those that didn’t full their first rounds have been defending champion Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Xander Schauffele.
In a considerably uncommon state of affairs, a handful of gamers who teed off late within the morning wave performed their last few pictures in close to darkness to keep away from having to come back again early on Friday, then wait hours for his or her afternoon tee occasions (if there are even Friday afternoon tee occasions). Ian Poulter even sprinted to play the island-green seventeenth gap and hit his tee shot on 18.