The Tampa Bay Championship at the Innisbrook Resort, Copperhead, Palm Harbor in Florida saw a new name, Shawn Stefani, at the top of the leaderboard at the conclusion of the first round.
Shawn Stefani / Stan Badz / Getty Images
Shawn Stefani shot a bogey free first round of -6 under par 65, on the Innisbrook par 71 Copperhead course layout, to lead the competition by two shots from Brian Harman who is on -4 under par.
There are three players tied in third position on -3 under par, all in with rounds of 68, they are, Tag Ridings, Brendan Steele and Harris English.
Tag Ridings admitted he had not brought enough warm clothing with him, thinking he was going to tropical Florida, but agreed a few birdies soon warmed him up;
” I’m underpacked this week, obviously, but I got it done on the first couple of holes, and after about six holes I was OK. They do, it took me a while to make, but my playing partners were making them in the group, so I knew they were available.”
Most frustrated player of the day had to be Luke Donald, World Number Three, and defending Champion here at the Tamper Bay Championship.
Luke had got it to -4 under par through the first 14 holes only to stumble home with three bogeys over his last four at Innisbrook’s Copperhead course, to finish at -1 under par, 70.
Luke Donald / Greenwood / Getty Images
” I’m extremely disappointed right now, I had it really under control and could have been six or seven under with a couple putts. Obviously to finish like that, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”
