Gribble, Bryan Lead Honda As Big Guns Stay Home
Friday, February 24, 2017

    Cody Gribble and Wesley Bryan were tied for the lead after the first round of the Honda Classic yesterday as many of the marquee players opted to stay home. Gribble and Bryan were at 6-under-par 64, one stroke better than Anirban Lahiri and Martin Kaymer, who used to be listed among the marquee types, but has slipped considerably in recent months. Rickie Fowler was tied for fifth at 4-under 66, but Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth were among the no-shows. 

    Brian Gay led the contingent of five Gators with a 2-under 68 and was tied for 24th, while Billy Horschel and Brett Stegmaier shot even-par 70 over the PGA National course in Palm Beach Gardens and were tied for 63rd, which was the projected cut line after 18 holes. Camilo Villegas (79) and Matt Every (84) shot themselves out quickly, and it's a puzzle what has happened to Every's game since he won back-to-back at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. 

    Seminole Brooks Koepka opened with 1-over 71 and Daniel Berger with 2-over 72 and will have a little work to do today to make it to the weekend. 

    ARIYA OFF TO GOOD START - Ariya Jutanugarn, the 2016 Player of the Year, is deadlocked for the lead with Amy Yang after the first round of the Honda LPGA Thailand. both shooting 6-under 66.

    Lexi Thompson's 4-under 68 has her tied for seventh, while Gator Sandra Gal opened with 3-under 69. Cristie Kerr is at 4 under and Stacy Lewis at 2 under. Ha Na Jang, last winner of the Coates Championship at Golden Hills, posted 1-under 71 in the field of 70. Lydia Ko, still mired in somewhat of a slump, for her, shot 2-under 70, and Brittany Lincicome is at 1-over 73. 

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