Lonard Goes Low at MCI Heritage Amid Windy Conditions

Peter Lonard completes the round of his life to take the lead during the first round of play at the MCI Heritage.

Peter LonardHarbour Town Golf Links is the site of this year’s MCI Heritage. None of the world’s top ten players are competing in this event and I’ve got a hunch that no one in this year’s field is missing any of them.

There is a good chance that no one in the top ten could have bettered Peter Lonard’s performance today as he posted an impressive 9-under 62. If Lonard hadn’t had a bogey on the first and last holes he’d have some bragging rights as he was only one stroke off the course record of 61. His eleven birdies in one round aren’t too shabby and it was good enough for the lead. In his four years on the PGA Tour, Lonard’s only PGA win came in 2003 at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship at La-Costa.

The first round of the MCI Heritage at The Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina had it’s share of low temperatures, low scores, and high winds. A total of 16 golfers finished under 70 today. Regardless of the cold, we can all be thankful that it wasn’t any worse in a year that has been defined by rain delays. With postage stamp size greens and gusting winds, the conservative knock-down approach was the key to low scores.

In second place is Thomas Levet at 65 who posted 9 birdies and two bogeys. He finished strong by posting six of his birdies in the last eight holes. Levet is just one stroke clear of Darren Clarke who sits at 65. Clarke gets the nod for the “Most Hideous Pants of the Day Award.” His pants were in the really loud plaid category.

Davis Love III, who is currently 2-under with a 69, has a remarkable record at the MCI Heritage. Out of 20 starts, Love III has won 5 times and been within the top ten 10 times. Love is among seven players tied for tenth place.

Defending champion Stewart Cink is currently even. Cink has won the tournament twice, including last year’s five-hole playoff win over Ted Purdy.

Pos    Player            Tot     R1
1      Peter Lonard      -9      62
2      Thomas Levet      -7      64
3      Darren Clarke     -6      65
4      Patrick Sheehan   -5      66
T5     Marco Dawson      -3      68
T5     Cameron Beckman   -3      68
T5     Jimmy Walker      -3      68
T5     Nick O'Hern       -3      68
T5     David Frost       -3      68
T10    Bob Estes         -2      69

Photo Credit: © AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain.

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