Thompson ties lowest opening score in Nationwide history  PGA TOUR Staff OMAHA, Neb. -- Chris Thompson emerged as the unlikely leader on Thursday at the $650,000 Cox Classic presented by Chevrolet -- one of the premier events on the Nationwide Tour. Thompson did it in grand fashion, however, equaling the lowest opening-round score in Tour history with an 11-under 60.  Chris Thompson had a 29 on the front nine and a 31 on the back Thursday. (Stan Badz/PGA TOUR/WireImage)
Thompson's round was highlighted by eagles on Nos. 9 and 17 -- including a 30-footer on the drivable par-4 ninth hole (his last hole of the day). His bogey-free round included seven birdies and four 2s -- and equaled the Tour's low round of the year, posted by Brenden Pappas during the first round of the Chitimacha Louisiana Open. "I was fortunate to make two bombs on Nos. 8 and 9 that turned a good round into one I won't soon forget," said Thompson, a 31-year-old native of Independence, Kan. "Anytime you shoot a 60, you're going to make some putts. I couldn't be happier with the way I played and I'm even happier with the way I putted." Dramatic finishes have become the norm at the Cox Classic. Just two years ago, Jason Gore paved the way to an unprecedented three consecutive victories on Tour with a second-round 59 -- including a 20-foot eagle on the same ninth hole that Thompson eagled Thursday. Thompson's 60 is the 12th in Tour history -- and the third at the Cox Classic (Craig Lile in 2003 and Jon Mills in 2005). "I knew Jason shot a 59 but I didn't know how many 60s there had been here," said Thompson, a 1999 graduate of the University of Kansas and former Kansas Amateur Champion. "It just added up to a 60 today. I'm sure the fans enjoyed it. It is better cheering for birdies than for players chopping it out of the hay." Thompson is one of the iron men on the Nationwide Tour, having played in all 19 tournaments. But the season so far has been a struggle for the former member of the Golden Bear Tour (three years) and Gateway Tour (four years) He has made the cut in eight of 18 starts and currently sits No. 116 on the money list. But a lack of success hasn't diminished his happiness at having a full-time spot on the Nationwide Tour. "I haven't played well this year, but it is great to be out here," said Thompson, who had a season-best 20th-place finish at the Melwood Prince George's County Open. "Golf is hard because you don't always show progression. It is so cut and dried. You are either on the PGA TOUR or the Nationwide Tour or you're on one of the mini-tours. I was ecstatic to get out here and show how well I stack up against the other players." Thompson's play on Thursday stacked up pretty well, but Scott Sterling made sure he didn't get too far ahead of the pack. Sterling was equally as impressive, firing a 10-under 61 to sit just one shot back, while Kelly Grunewald (63) trails by three. Sterling had missed the cut in four previous appearances in Omaha, and his 61 was eight shots better than his previous best score of 69 during the second round in 2005. "I haven't played real well here in the past, so this is unexpected really," said Sterling, who hit nine of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens in regulation. "I've never even made a cut here so a 61 is unexpected ... but I'll definitely take it." Sterling jumped out of the gate early with a stellar 6-under 29 on the front nine at the par-71 Champion Run, and then added four birdies in his first five holes on the back nine to sit at 10 under through 14 holes. "I got off to a good start," said Sterling, who drained a 20-footer on the second hole to reach red numbers for the first time. "I was fortunate to birdie the second hole. I would have taken par there. Then I chipped in, so I had things go my way today." The 50-foot chip in for eagle on the ninth hole highlighted Sterling's scorecard, which also included nine birdies. The former Louisiana State University standout had his only setback with a bogey at the par-4 15th hole, killing any hopes he had of joining Gore, Notah Begay III and Doug Dunakey in the exclusive "59" club. "A 59 definitely popped into my head," said Sterling, who is safely tucked among The 25 in the No. 10 spot on the money list. "But once I made bogey, a 59 was probably out of the question." Sterling claimed his first Tour win earlier this year at the Jacob's Creek Open Championship, but has struggled somewhat since. After holding the top spot on the money list following his victory, he had fallen down to 14th place on the money list before finally adding his second top-10 finish with last week's sixth-place effort at the Price Cutter Charity Championship. "I was putting a lot of pressure on myself early in the year," said Sterling. "I had been in a little bit of a funk. But I knew if I could have a couple of good putting weeks, I'd be okay. I like Springfield and I usually play well there. With the way I hit it (last week), it made it easier coming into this week. Instead of coming in having bad thoughts of knowing I haven't played well here in the past, I was concentrating more on the positive and the fact that I played well last week." Sterling will be disappointed to hear that a cold front is expected to move in overnight, lowering the mid-90 temperatures faced in the opening round to low to mid-80s on Friday. "I don't mind the heat," said Sterling, a 35-year-old resident of Baton Rouge, La. "I normally play well in hot weather and I think that helped me today." First-Round News & Notes: There have been four opening-round 60s posted during the history of the Nationwide Tour. In addition to the two posted this season by Thompson and Pappas, the others were recorded by Jimmy Green at the 1998 Carolina Classic and Chris Nallen at the 2004 Gila River Golf Classic. Of those players, Nallen was the only one to carry that great start on to the winner's circle. ... Daniel Summerhays, who became the Tour's first-ever amateur winner two weeks ago at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational, began his professional career with an even-par 71. ... In 19 events, Martin Laird and Kyle Thompson are the only first-round leaders this season to go on to victory. ... Chris Thompson's 11-under 60 was one of 13 bogey-free rounds during the opening round. ... Scott Sterling posted the season's best birdie-eagle streak by going 6 under on Nos. 7-11 (B-B-E-B-B). ... Chris Thompson and Chez Reavie posted two eagles during their respective rounds. ... Jon Mills led the field by hitting all 18 greens in regulation. ... Jim White, a 56-year-old PGA Professional from Lincoln, Neb., opened with a 1-under 70. ... Jeremy Anderson, who tore ligaments in his ankle three weeks ago at the Legend Financial Group Classic, withdrew with an injury following an opening-round 73. Gary Christian and Adam Riddering also withdrew following the first round. |
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