Steve Stricker brought the heat, Mother Nature produced the lightning Thursday at the Senior Players Championship.
Stricker, the new force on the over-50 set, was at it again. The winner of the Senior U.S. Open and the Tradition, is looking for a third straight big win. Stricks was five-under par through 17 holes at Firestone Country Club when lightning brought an end to the day’s festivities.
Lowest score on the board when play was called was a one-under par 69 by Ken Duke.
Only 15 players managed to finish their rounds when weather forced everyone off the golf course.
Stricker started his day with birdies on the first two holes then woke everyone up with a hole-in-one at the 219-yard par three seventh.
Stricker was in the middle of the 18th fairway with just 140 yards in when play was suspended.
“Bummed that we didn’t get to finish because that meant we could have slept in a little bit tomorrow, and then now we’ll have to get out here just to hit that shot,” Stricker said. “Hopefully, just one putt. And then we won’t tee off until 1 p.m. Maybe go back and I don’t know what we’ll do – kill time, eat breakfast a few times or something. Yeah, it would have been nice to finish.”
Stricker must have been dreaming of another birdie overnight. He came out in the morning, made birdie at 18 and posted a six-under par 64 to lead the first round.
Stricker is looking for his third straight major victory. He was conflicted with this one. He normally plays in the John Deere Classic, a tournament he has won three times.
Stacy Lewis One Back At Marathon:
Stacy Lewis is getting used to motherhood and her game is getting back on track.
Lewis opened with a six-under par 65 Thursday at the Marathon Classic and found herself just a shot off the lead.
Alena Sharp and Youngin Chun shared the top of the scoreboard with 64s.
Lexi Thompson is back in action, she turned in a five-under par 66.
Brooke Henderson, who received an ESPY Wednesday night for Best Female Golfer, shot 67.
