By Ron Mintz
Despite nine players who withdrew for various reasons, and the talk centered around the bad greens at Quail Hollow, seven players found a way to find the lead for the first round at five under par.
Rory McIlroy who holds the 18 hole tournament record for his 2010 finish with a 62, is tied for the lead with Americans Nick Watney, Ryan Moore, Robert Garrigus, Daniel Summerhays, Derek Ernst and Monday qualifier Nate Smith. At one point Summerhays got it to -6 but finished at -5.
Six players were one stroke back, including former Masters champions Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson, and former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover, who won this event in 2011. Glover is still awaiting the birth of his first child and has said he will leave immediately should that call come anytime.
I’ve made big strides,” said McIlroy. “My game wasn’t where it should have been at all in the beginning of the year. Now I feel like I’m swinging it well. I’ve seen my game progress week by week. It’s a nice start here this week. I saw the early scores and thought the course would give up a lower score than five under today, but it is a tough test. I love the layout and feel comfortable playing here.
Smith, who shot a 63 to qualify on Monday for his first PGA Tour start of the season, also held the sole lead for a hole after he birdied 16 to reach six-under but he missed a four-foot putt for par at the 17th to slip back. Smith’s caddy welcomed him to Quail Hollow by placing his empty bag in the locker room with a note to players asking them to sign it for charity. So Smith had some famous names on his bag today, and answered them with a big thank you for a player with no status on the PGA Tour by taking a share of the lead with a 67.
Mickelson who had been critical of some pin placement in recent years here at Quail Hollow had this to say about all the controversy on the conditions of the greens:
Cut them some slack, we are lucky to play on this course while they transition to be ready for the PGA Championship. This event has been such an important part of the PGA Tour, and is always one of the best run events we play in.
Disappointing rounds were turned in by Bill Hass, who’s wife is also expecting their first child at any moment, and has a private jet on standby if he gets the call. He finished seven over with a 79. Also Padraig Harrington had a eight over round of 80. He was seen using a belly putter, but it is doubtful he will play with that putter on Friday.
Despite all the media reports about the greens and players withdrawing, the Wells Fargo Championship is sold out for yet another year.
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