Tony Finau has had a heck of a rookie season on the PGA Tour.
He’s pushing $2 million in earnings and he put himself right in the thick of it Thursday with an opening 65 that earned him a share of the first round lead at the Barclays.
Plainfield Country Club isn’t exactly made for power players like Finau but he got off to an incredible start with three straight back-nine birdies. After that, he stumbled with three straight bogeys. “Not the perfect start,” he said after his round that put him in a tie with Bubba Watson, Spencer Levin and Camilo Villegas.
Finau was the only player in the afternoon wave to shoot 65 “It’s hard to hit the fairways. The key is almost like every week, you gotta drive it good and putt it good.”
Like Finau, Watson was a surprise co-leader. “All in all, a good round,” said Watson, who made two late bogeys to keep him from having the solo lead. “I missed the cut here last year,” he pointed out, “so I’m way ahead of the curve.”
While the leaders might be surprising considering that Plainfield is a tight, old-fashioned layout with deep rough and trees overhanging close to the fairways, it was just as surprising to see what happened to some of the favorites.
Jordan Spieth’s first nine gave no indication as to what was in store for the world’s No. 1. He turned in two-under but staggered in with a 40 on the front nine and his 74 was his worst score of the season and he’s in danger of missing the cut and losing his No. 1 ranking to Rory McIlroy, who isn’t playing this week.
Even more shocking was the 77 recorded by Justin Rose, a player many figured to contend this week.
Defending FedEx cup champion Billy Horschel will most likely see someone else hoist the trophy this year. He shot 76 and has had a very tough season with no wins.
Davis Love III, who came from behind to win in Greensboro last week, shot 75.
One shot off the lead was a group of six players: Danny Lee, Jason Dufner, Cameron Tringale, Russell Knox, Paul Casey and Bryce Molder.
Phil Mickelson looked like he was going to put up a low number. He had perhaps the day’s hottest start. Lefty started on the back nine and was four under through his first six holes but three front nine bogeys left him with a two-under par 68.
