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Flesch tied with Appleby at the fore of Las Vegas Invitational
Las Vegas, Oct 09: Two weeks ago, Tommy Armour shot a PGA Tour record 26- under-par en route to winning the Valero Texas Open. Wednesday, during the first round of the Las Vegas Invitational, Armour shot a 1- over 72.
Las Vegas, Oct 09: Two weeks ago, Tommy Armour shot a PGA Tour record 26- under-par en route to winning the Valero Texas Open. Wednesday, during the first round of the Las Vegas Invitational, Armour shot a 1- over 72.
Normally, a 72 would be in the middle of the pack after most first rounds, but this is Vegas where the numbers are low. Armour is tied for 125th in the 144-player field. Through 18 holes, 116 of the 144 players were under par, while 124 players were even par or better. Twelve players were within the two co-leaders, Stuart Appleby and Steve Flesch, both of whom turned in 10-under 62s. Anthony Painter is 144th after a 6-over 78.
"To say a course can be had, Southern Highlands was it," said Flesch of the fact players were allowed to lift, clean and place their balls in the fairways at Southern Highlands and that conditions were ripe for low scores. "I told my caddie, 'let's get the ball on the green and you've a chance [for birdie].'"
Aaron Barber, who is at 9-under, said lift, clean and place was a real advantage. "Because you can give yourself a perfect line and control the distance and spin rate so much more, so much more consistent," he said.
Appleby closed his round with six straight birdies. The longest streak of consecutive birdies in 2003 is seven by Tim Petrovic (Ford Championship at Doral), Jay Haas (FedEx St. Jude Classic) and Bob Tway (Valero Texas Open). Only Tway went on to win his event.
"I hit it close a few times, but not stiff," he said. "I did not have any stiff putts, but made good length putts ranging from 8 to 15 feet. I wish I had six birdies every round."
Bureau Report
Normally, a 72 would be in the middle of the pack after most first rounds, but this is Vegas where the numbers are low. Armour is tied for 125th in the 144-player field. Through 18 holes, 116 of the 144 players were under par, while 124 players were even par or better. Twelve players were within the two co-leaders, Stuart Appleby and Steve Flesch, both of whom turned in 10-under 62s. Anthony Painter is 144th after a 6-over 78.
"To say a course can be had, Southern Highlands was it," said Flesch of the fact players were allowed to lift, clean and place their balls in the fairways at Southern Highlands and that conditions were ripe for low scores. "I told my caddie, 'let's get the ball on the green and you've a chance [for birdie].'"
Aaron Barber, who is at 9-under, said lift, clean and place was a real advantage. "Because you can give yourself a perfect line and control the distance and spin rate so much more, so much more consistent," he said.
Appleby closed his round with six straight birdies. The longest streak of consecutive birdies in 2003 is seven by Tim Petrovic (Ford Championship at Doral), Jay Haas (FedEx St. Jude Classic) and Bob Tway (Valero Texas Open). Only Tway went on to win his event.
"I hit it close a few times, but not stiff," he said. "I did not have any stiff putts, but made good length putts ranging from 8 to 15 feet. I wish I had six birdies every round."
Bureau Report