Riviera Rain: Round One of the Nissan

Brian Davis is an unlikely leader after the first round of the Nissan Open, but then again, the first round isn’t quite over yet. Davis, a 2004 Q-School graduate, fired a 6-under 65 to take the early lead at rain-soaked Riviera Country Club.

One back, Luke Donald and Darren Clarke, who recorded a “1” on his scorecard at the “bunker-in-the-green” 6th. Donald bogeyed his last after his drive found a divot and his approach a greenside bunker. Brett Quigley, who’s having a good year so far, also fired a 66.

How about two-time defending champ Mike Weir? He sits two back of Davis at 67 along with Tiger Woods, who’s looking to recapture the #1 ranking in the world. Woods, playing in only his third tournament of the year and coming off a three-week break, three-jacked three times in a putting display that could be described as “rusty.” Woods needs to finish no worse than three spots out of first to reclaim his stake atop the rankings over a resting Vijay Singh.

Said Woods of his incredible display of 15-handicap putting, “I putted like a fool today. It was an absolutely horrific day on the greens. I probably could have shot 8-under…”

The other subplot Thursday? The weather. Leader Brian Davis played his first nine into the wind and, coming back, assumed he’d have it easy. The wind switched on him and the rain came down. Said Davis, an Englishman, “It’s a lot like playing links golf back home.” Countryman Luke Donald agreed, saying “It was a little tough with the rain.” Four players were not able to finish their first round.

David Duval shot a 74, his best opening round of the year by five shots. Retief Goosen, who had requested the first tee-time at 6:40am in Wednedsay’s pro-am, failed to wake up in time and did not show up. Per PGA Tour policy, he was disqualified.

Pos    Player              Today     R1     R2     R3     R4     Total
1      Brian Davis           -6      65     -      -      -       65
T2     Darren Clarke         -5      66     -      -      -       66
T2     Brett Quigley         -5      66     -      -      -       66
T2     Luke Donald           -5      66     -      -      -       66
T5     Jose Coceres          -4      67     -      -      -       67
T5     Adam Scott            -4      67     -      -      -       67
T5     Tiger Woods           -4      67     -      -      -       67
T5     Kevin Sutherland      -4      67     -      -      -       67
T5     Omar Uresti           -4      67     -      -      -       67
T5     Mike Weir             -4      67     -      -      -       67
T5     James Driscoll        -4      67     -      -      -       67
T12    Jerry Kelly           -3      68     -      -      -       68
T12    Steve Elkington       -3      68     -      -      -       68
T12    Rod Pampling          -3      68     -      -      -       68
T12    Bob Tway              -3      68     -      -      -       68
T12    Hunter Mahan          -3      68     -      -      -       68
T12    Ryuji Imada           -3      68     -      -      -       68
T12    Chris Starkjohann     -3      68     -      -      -       68
T12    Jose Maria Olazabal   -3      68     -      -      -       68
T12    Chad Campbell         -3      68     -      -      -       68
T12    Justin Leonard        -3      68     -      -      -       68
T12    Michael Allen         -3      68     -      -      -       68

Photo Credit: © Riviera Country Club.