Sept. 22, 2017
Scott McCarron Sets Poppy Hills Course Record
It was a Northern California guy who had the hot hand on day one of this weekend’s Champions Tour PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course.
McCarron, a former Napa resident, set the course record at par-71 Poppy Hills in Thursday’s first round with a blistering 8-under 63. The course record—65—was previously held by Champions Tour member Olin Browne and former St. Mary’s College standout Jonathan De Los Reyes, who each posted the score in 2015. Browne’s came during the second round of that year’s then First Tee Open at Pebble Beach.
“This is one of my favorite tournaments to play in,” said McCarron, who afterward signed a Poppy Hills commemorative flag with course head pro Scott Adams. “The re-do at Poppy Hills turned out really nice. The course was in great shape, and at this time of year, the weather is perfect.”
Playing with nary a breeze in the air, McCarron carded seven birdies and an eagle to go against just one bogey. His eagle, on the par-4 5th, came courtesy a holed-out sand wedge.
Also flirting with the Poppy Hills record was Bernhard Langer. Langer, who holds a slim advantage over McCarron in the Schwab Cup money list and was playing in the group behind McCarron, finished at 64. Having started on the back-nine, he’d have a chance to tie the 63 mark but was unable to get up-and-down from the greenside bunker on the par-5 9th. Langer opened his round by going 4-under with four straight birdies.
-NCGA Staff
