Wyndham Clark holds on to win second U.S. Open
Colorado-native wins second U.S. Open in four years
PGA Tour veterans crowd top of leaderboard for Inspirato Colorado Senior Open
Day 1 sees low scores after rains soften course
By Jim Bebbington
It’s amazing what a little rain can do.
Softened up just enough by overnight rains, Denver’s Green Valley Ranch Golf Club gave up some low scores Wednesday on the first day of the Inspirato Colorado Senior Open.
The first round was held with lift-clean-and-place rules, and players used that to attack pins across the Denver course.
Kent Jones of Albuquerque, a former PGA Tour and Champions Tour player, was among the players near the top of the leaderboard at 6-under par after the morning round.
Jones, 58, said he had recently lost his Champions Tour status and came to this years Open because of its reputation as a good experience.
“I’ve heard great things about it,” he said. “I know a lot of people who have played here and in the Colorado Open. I’m not playing that much right now so I thought ‘why not come up.’ “
Jones said despite the rain-softened turf the course is in perfect shape. “The greens are just so pure,” he said.
Jones most-recent high finish was tying for 4th in the 2019 Senior PGA Championship.
Other players near the top of the leaderboard included former PGA Tour members Omar Uresti, who finished at 8-under, and Brian Cooper of Pittsburgh, a Champions Tour veteran, who finished at 7-under. Kris Blanks of Florida started the day going 5-under on the back nine then finished at 6-under. Blanks best season on the PGA Tour was 2011 when he had seven top 25 finishes including losing in a playoff in the RBC Canadian Open.
The three-day tournament resumes Thursday. A 36-hole cut will bring back the top 50 players and ties for the final round on Friday. The winner receives $15,000.
The threat of lightning briefly suspended the afternoon rounds.
For the full leaderboard click here.
Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.
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