Loupe leads before nature intervenes
Loupe impresses before weather intervenes
Andrew Loupe carded an eight-under-par 63 at Monterey Peninsula to take the clubhouse lead before Mother Nature intervened at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
It wasn’t a pleasant day in California on Thursday and those teeing off early were on the courses for just 39 minutes before play was halted because of standing water on the three courses.
Following a delay of nearly three hours, players finally returned and Loupe made the most of the good conditions to post a career-best round.
After picking up three shots on his front nine, the 25-year-old made it a flawless opening round with five more birdies on the back nine.
“I had a blast out there,” he told PGATour.com.
He added: “I think it’s settling in. You’re not putting next to the guys you’ve been putting next to. You’re not hitting balls to the guys you’ve been hitting balls next to.
“I’m looking at guys I’ve been watching on TV, you know, and it’s just realising that I’m supposed to be here. I’m here for a reason and I think I was a little nervy the last couple weeks and I thought I did a lot better job of that today.”
Loupe has a two-shot lead over Stuart Appleby, Jim Renner, Scott Gardiner, Richard H Lee, and Jimmy Walker. The first three also played on the Monterey Peninsula course while Walker was over Pebble Beach Golf Course.
European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley carded five birdies for a 67 to find himself tied seventh along with Jordan Spieth, who posted the best score at Spyglass, and two other players.
Four-time Pebble Beach winner winner Phil Mickelson also made a good start to the tournament was also five under when play was suspended. His flawless round included an eagle at the par-five sixth. That was just moments before the round was called off.
Defending champion Graeme McDowell started with a one-under-par 71 after carding two bogeys and three birdies.
When play was suspended for the day, 43 players still had to complete their round.
Latest
-
Ryder CupNew Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald motivated by ‘bitter’ memories of 2021 defeat
Stenson was stripped of the role for breaking his contract by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder CupThe task facing Luke Donald after replacing Henrik Stenson
Stenson was appointed on March 15 and said he was fully committed to a role before signing with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder CupLuke Donald named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
Donald replaces Henrik Stenson after he was stripped of the role.
-
PGA TourTony Finau claims second straight PGA Tour victory
The American won the 3M Open in his previous outing.
-
NewsHenrik Stenson cushions Ryder Cup blow with £3.6m debut win in LIV Golf
The Swede was stripped of his role as Europe captain after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
-
NewsFormer Masters champion Bubba Watson becomes latest player to join LIV Golf
The left-hander is currently sidelined by a knee injury and is not expected to play until next season,
-
Ryder CupLuke Donald tipped to replace Henrik Stenson as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Swede lost the job 127 days after his appointment following his decision to join the LIV Golf series.
-
NewsMax Homa: Tiger Woods now understands the respect he commands from his peers
Homa has made no secret of his admiration for Woods.
-
Ryder CupBernard Gallacher fears Greg Norman is not the man for compromise with LIV Golf
Players who have resigned from the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf will not be eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
LPGA TourBrooke Henderson takes two-shot lead into final round of Evian Championship
South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon climbed into outright second place on 15 under.