Ted Potter's return to the wonderful world of golf in the Korn Ferry Challenge at TPC Sawgrass took a severe turn for the worst on his 17th hole yesterday, leaving him in a difficult position in relation to today's 36-hole cut.  

    Ted came to his 17th hole of the day, the par-4 8th, at one over par but went to the 18th at 4 over after taking a triple bogey seven, the result of a strayed tee shot that was followed by a drop and a penalty stroke. He made par on his final hole for a round of 37-37-74 over the par-70 Dye's Valley Course and heads into round 2 four strokes over the early projected cut line of even-par 70. He tees off at 1:47 this afternoon in a tie for 133rd.

    Paul Barjon took the first-round lead with a 6-under 64 in the $600,000 event, two strokes better than a group of eight deadlocked at 4 under. There are another 14 tied at 3-under 67, a group that includes Gator Camilo Villegas, who dropped back late in the round after getting it to 5 under earlier in the day. 

    The other ex-Gator in the field, Tyson Alexander, opened with a 73, while for the Seminoles, Hank Lebioda shot 68 and Jack Maguire 71. 

    Former Ocala Open winner Wade Binfield posted a 1-under 69 and two-time Ocala Open winner Dan McCarthy a 75. Mark Blakefield, winner of a Hooter's event at Golden Hills, had his problems and wound up with 77.  

 

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