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GoG: The long slog begins....

June 21, 2012|By GRANT MEECH | KWCH 12 Eyewitness Sports
  • Crestview Country Club, Thursday June 21st
Joe Fenton, KWCH 12 Eyewitness Sports

WICHITA, Kan. — Did you hear that? It's the golf clap of thousands that the Wichita Open is finally underway.

Casey Wittenberg leads the way with an great 8-under par round of 63 to lead by two after Day 1.

Wittenberg looks like a man fried mentally. You can't blame him - he just got back from the US Open, the toughest test in golf. Oh, and he played with Tiger Woods on Sunday....

Thursday was the day to go low. The conditions were ripe for picking and those who took advantage (93 are under par) it was an easy day out there. But when your practice rounds were blustery winds and gusts up to 40 mph at one point - nothing was the same.

All the knowledge they learned from Monday to Wednesday was thrown out the window on Thursday morning. First of all, it was delayed an hour because of rain. But by noon, what rain? It was hot, the course was firm and guys were getting sunburned (me included).

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Jason Gore and Kevin Johnson led the morning groups with a pair of 65's, the best scores in the clubhouse until Wittenberg laced up his Footjoys.

Johnson had an incredible back nine; three birdies and an eagle to give him his six under score. Gore needed a birdie putt on the last to grab a share. After the round, Gore was surprised by his kids and his son was more excited about going to the pool than his dad's great round of golf. Oh well...

With the temperatures up, it was surprising that more players didn't go even lower than they did in the afternoon. All the low scores came in the morning. So much for knowing how to win a golf tournament...

Friday should be another good day to score. Warm, calm winds - everything these guys want. See you on Friday. Bring your sunscreen...

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