Zurich Classic - Opening Rounds
15 golfers have made the Zurich Classic of New Orleans their first PGA Tour victory. Names like Nick Watney, Kyle Reifers, Daniel Chopra, Jason Schultz, Steve Wheatcroft, and Chris Stroud are all trying to become number 16.
One golfer who is not looking for that breakthrough win is 46-year-old Mark Calcavecchia, his came in 1986. Calc may be the elder statesman in contention this weekend, but don’t let his age fool you. In two rounds, he posted scores of 66 and 69, has yet to make a bogey and leads by one stroke over Lucas Glover and Nick Watney at 9-under-par.
In the press room after his second round, Calc made a keen observation that he started playing on the PGA Tour before Reifers was even born. Don’t feel too old Calc, you do have a two stroke lead over the lil’ whipper snapper.
But remember, 46 is a good age. A plaid-pant-wearing Jack Nicklaus won the Masters at that age.
When Nicklaus slipped on his sixth green jacket Reifers was only two years old. Now 23-years-old, Reifers is at 7-under-par and in good position going into the weekend. Reifers made music on Friday in New Orleans, perfectly orchestrating a course record 64 at the TPC Louisiana and grabbed the lead after day one. Recording his first bogey of the tournament on the 12th hole, Reifers closed his second round with a 38 on the back nine to fall out of the lead.
Reifers was very close to not even having this chance. Last December at the PGA Tour Qualifying School, Reifers drained a 15 foot bogey putt on the final hole to finish in the top 30 and claim his PGA Tour card.
Check-in with hookedongolf.com later this weekend for continued coverage and results from the Zurich Classic.
