Round 1 - Today's light breeze is the strongest the wind will be this week according to the weather forecast, and that was welcome news to the players as they prepare to take on this long, tricky Hyperion Fields course. Jared Kingsley negotiated the front nine well enough, but being overly aggressive on #10 saw him card a double-bogey. Another one followed on #16 and the resulting 79 was not the start he wanted. Bob Fletcher and Norm Ricker came home with a couple of solid 72's, giving them something to build on, while Randy Grant found the greens a little troublesome on his way to a 71. That was also Ian McKinley's opening score and he was helped by a rare eagle on #11. Les Souter made a satisfactory start with a 70 and appears to be in good form...
Round 2 - Even with no wind at all Hyperion Fields is a challenge, mainly due to the length and the tricky greens. Jared Kingsley was more like his normal self today and posted a 72, but Ian McKinley struggled and could only register a 76, most unlike him. Norm Ricker recorded his second 72 of the tourney to remain mid-leaderboard, while Randy Grant and Bob Fletcher hit a brace of 70's to keep alive their slim chances. Les Souter played very well for his 66, the equal best round of the day, and he is well placed to make an assault on the co-leaders who are only a couple of strokes ahead of him. Things are coming to the boil quite nicely...
Round 3 - Only a gentle breeze to contend with today but the lightning fast greens took their toll on a few players. Jared Kingsley (76), Ian McKinley (74), and especially Bob Fletcher (79) all suffered and ended any interest they might have had in the remaining round. Norm Ricker edged up the leaderboard when he carded a 71, his best effort so far this week, while Randy Grant lost ground when he could only shoot a level par 72. At halfway Les Souter was in a threatening position, but he too could only put together a 72 which means he will enter the final round a full six strokes off the lead, thereby reducing his winning chances substantially. But it's not over until the fat lady sings, and it's still very quiet at the moment...
Round 4 - Rain meant the greens would be a lot slower today, and that would suit some players but not others. Jared Kingsley and Bob Fletcher completed a miserable week with rounds of 76 and 74 respectively, while Hans Kunok signed off with a 72 and was no doubt left regretting his opening round of 80. Ian McKinley finally found his A-game, firing an impressive 66 but still finishing in the bottom half of the field. Norm Ricker had played consistently all through the event but just hadn't scored low enough - until today, when he produced something near his best form to card a fine 68, claiming a share of 15th place in the process. Randy Grant also posted a 68, which was also his best round of the tourney, but his total score was one stroke away from gaining some precious Charles Schwab Cup points. While the majority of the pros had a hard time scoring today, Les Souter experienced no such problem. He produced a superb round of 65 strokes to sieze the first Major title of the season by a single shot!! Who's to say he won't win the second Major at French Lick next week?!