Wheatcroft tied for OHL lead with five others
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PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico – Washington native and Trinity High School graduate Steve Wheatcroft got off to a hot start in the opening round of the OHL Classic Thursday, shooting a six-under par 65 to share the lead on Mayakoba’s El Camaleon course.
Daniel Berger had five birdies in a seven-hole stretch to also grab a share of the lead with Will MacKenzie, Robert Garrigus, Hudson Swafford and Tony Finau.
“This is what we work so hard for, so it’s great to get off to a good start, but got to keep it going,” said Berger, the 21-year-old Florida State player who earned a PGA Tour card last season on the Web.com Tour.
The six-player tie is the largest after 18 holes since six players also topped the leaderboard in the 2013 St. Jude Classic.
The Greg Norman-designed course requires accuracy off the tee.
“I think I hit maybe two drivers all day,” Berger said. “It’s just kind of one of those courses where you’ve got to hit the fairway. Super tight off the tee, so just put it in play and you’ve got some birdie opportunities.”
Two eagles boosts Kim to lead: Christina Kim had two eagles in a 7-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead Thursday in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.
Kim eagled the par-5 second and 17th holes at tree-lined Club de Golf Mexico, the first-year venue after six seasons in host Lorena Ochoa’s hometown of Guadalajara.
Kim also birdied Nos. 4, 7 and 16 in her bogey-free round. She won the last of her two LPGA Tour titles in 2005.
Spain’s Azahara Munoz was second.