Pacific Palisades, CA – From start to finish the weather has slow down the Genesis Open on Thursday at Riviera Country Club.
The day one clubhouse leader Sam Saunders* (-7) is a non familiar name on tour until find out that he is Arnold Palmer grandson. He is standing on his own two feet in this packed field of 144 golfers fighting for some of seven million dollar purse.
“I had some people tell me in the past that they thought this would be a good fit for me, some friends that play out on the Tour.” said Sam Saunders, ” Yeah, I would say this was one of if not my best competitive round I’ve had in my career.”
First thing in the morning the fog rolled in and took over the course have tournament directors scramble to get past 1st tee box which is elevated and covered super thick. So players started on 10th tee and 2nd tee and were able to play few holes before the double horn sounded.
Play soon resumed after hour fog delay that through the all tee times back but it was great So Cal weather for the rest of the day.
As the second half golfers took the field the nightfall of darkness was fast approaching and left stranded 54 golfers who will finish their first round on Friday morning rain or shine.
Other notables is Dustin Johnson* (-5) in second place, three players tie for third, Phil Mickelson* (-4) tied eighth and defending champion Bubba Watson* (3) endanger of missing the cut on Friday.
This field will have to deal with wet conditions on Friday and the course will only get tougher to play. So don’t expect any big moves up the leaderboard but some folks may fall back.
