The “Bear Trap” famous for PGA National, which has irritated players for many years, has become a big, snuggling teddy bear.
In this era of teeth bent, any player will be happy to get a score as standard. This is no longer the case as course staff oversees fairways and greens before this year's tournament, and it's the first time since 2014. They also removed the bunker.
As Jordan Spieth explained, “The Supervision of Change.” [the course] Because it makes the fairway softer, it makes them wider and is much easier around the green than dormant Bermuda. ”
“You're easily going around the strokes with just a change in the grass type of fairway.”
Thursday morning waves produced record-breaking scoring at Cognizant Classic. Jake Knapp fired 59, with 12 other players posting over 65 rounds. Every time I blinked, another player would make a birdie somewhere.
“It really doesn't surprise me,” Russell Henry said of Knapp's 59.
“When the wind is down like this, I think it's definitely available. But it doesn't matter what the condition is. Whenever you film a 59, it's great and incredible.”
Knapp is currently getting a course record at PGA National and signed his first sub-60 rounds at the PGA Tour event in Florida. Justin Ray. His 59 is also the 15th sub-60 score in PGA Tour history.
“I thought I played well, but then someone shot a 59,” Daniel Berger said. He posted an 8 under 63.
“The course wasn't an old bear trap we're used to.”
Billy Horchel, who encountered a crocodile midway through the round, agreed and expressed disappointment with the setup.
“The rough is not enough length. When you miss a fairway, that's not a sufficient penalty,” Horchel said.
“We really hope that we play this as a straight Bermuda. Everything from the tee to the greens has to be a straight Bermuda. I know it doesn't look pretty on TV, and that's one of the reasons it's being directed. But for me, growing up in Florida, one of the benefits I have is that I'm born and raised in Bermudagrass, playing with Bermudagrass, scraping it, then judging a lie. As someone who plays in California with Poa Annua Greens and feels comfortable with Poa Annua Greens, I don't have that advantage.
“It's a bit disappointing. The condition of the course can be very scored, but at the same time you still have to get out there, hit golf shots and make putts. But this is doubtful as there is not much wind expected this afternoon if afternoon scoring is staying.
Michael Kim, who played well for the past month, shot a 6-under 65 on Thursday.
“There's no big rye cover and no wind. This course will be much easier, but I didn't expect to go back to 6 shots after 65.” Kim posted on x After his round.
Kim probably isn't even in the top ten after the first round is over.
Added Joel Damen of x:
“I miss the old PGA National.”
Last year, Austin Eckroat won by 17 under par with three shots. The previous year, Chris Kirk and Eric Cole finished at 14 under, with Kirk winning the playoffs. No champion scored 72 holes lower than 12 under in 12 tournaments between 2011 and 2022.
Knapp is already there after the first day, and many other players are hiding deep in the red figure.
“It's a bit disappointing as it's a great test of golf. Like I said, the conditions, no wind, it's raining this week, so it's softer. But if you add the Bermuda Factor, if you have a Bermuda Ruff and Bermuda fairway, if you missed the green, if you had to chip from Bermuda instead of covering the rye, it's a bit tougher,” Horschel added.
“Listen, there are three days left. Hopefully the wind will pick up. Hopefully, I can see a bit of PGA National, because it's fun to play this golf course when it's difficult. I think a lot of us enjoy it. I think it's a cep [Straka] And I talked about it, Cam Young. All three talked about how fun it is to play a really tough golf course. Usually a 2-3 under is a really good round here. ”
There's no more.
Jack Mirco is a golf staff writer who plays SB Nation. Follow him with x @jack_milko.
