Sports

PGA Tour Tampa Bay Championship: Rookie Shawn Stefani Takes Lead on Day 1

The average of 73.071 represents the second-highest first round average in tournament history, exceeded only by 73.11 in 2003.

Shawn Stefani, a 31-year-old rookie from Baytown, Texas, carded a 6-under-par 65, finishing on the 9th hole in gathering darkness to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Tampa Bay Championship presented by EverBank.

On a day when a number of other competitors saw promising rounds compromised by over-par scores in the final holes, Stefani made four straight pars after getting to 6 under. He earned his PGA TOUR card by ranking 6th on the 2012 Web.com Official Money List after winning twice.

A pair of former University of Georgia players, Brian Harman and Harris English, were among others in the afternoon who contested for the lead before falling back.  Harman is 2nd at 4-under-par 67 while English joins Tag Ridings and Brendan Steele at 68.

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Only 25 of the 156 golfers broke par on a day when the average score rose to 73.071.  Among them were past champions Vijay Singh and K.J. Choi with 2-under 69s and defending champ Luke Donald with a 1-under 70.  Geoff Ogilvy had a 69 and Adam Scott, Nick Watney, Jason Day and sponsor’s exemption Patrick Cantlay were other 70s.

All the first round scores are here.

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The average of 73.071 represents the second-highest first round average in tournament history, exceeded only by 73.11 in 2003.

Stefani will play in the morning on Friday at 9:20 as he attempts to join K.J. Choi in 2002 as the only first round leader to win the tournament. 

Thanks to Rick Odioso for supplying this information.

Related-

  • PGA Tour Tampa Bay Championship: Complete Coverage
  • PGA Tour Tampa Bay Championship: Schedule and Ticket Information
  • PGA Tour Tampa Bay Championship: What to Know Before You Go

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