Rookie Watney's 63 good for 2-shot lead
Updated: July 15, 2004, 9:58 PM ET
Associated Press
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- Nationwide Tour rookie Nick Watney shot a 9-under-par 63 Thursday for a two-shot lead after the first round of the inaugural Pete Dye West Virginia Classic.
The 2003 Fresno State graduate birdied four of the final five holes at the Pete Dye Golf Club to overtake good friend D.A. Points, who was at 7 under.
Among five players three shots back is Nick Cassini, nephew of fashion designer Oleg Cassini.
Watney has missed the cut in five of 12 Nationwide events, but he's had three top 10 finishes in his last five tournaments. His best finish was a tie for fifth at The Reese's Cup Classic earlier this month.
The 23-year-old finished 10th at the PGA Tour's Reno-Tahoe Open a year ago and won the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial Championship last August in his only Canadian Tour start.
Watney's bogey-free round included an eagle on the par-5 11th.
After missing a 4-footer for birdie on the par-3 16th, Watney took the lead on No. 17 after a 60-yard wedge to within 3 feet. He sank a 17-foot birdie putt on No. 18.
Players took advantage of greens softened by rains earlier this week. Thursday's cool, cloudy conditions kept them from drying out.
Seventy-six players -- nearly half the field -- broke par.
Points, seeking his second tour win of the season, had his best opening round of 2004, two weeks after withdrawing from The Reese's Cup Classic after a first-round 79.
Points won last month's Northeast Pennsylvania Classic. A win this week would bring him within one victory of an in-season promotion to the PGA Tour.
Shooting 6-under 66 were Cassini, Ned Michaels, Bryce Molder, Darron Stiles and D.J. Trahan.
Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press
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