Scott Strohmeyer went early, while Michael Arnaud was one of the last golfers to post a score, but both were able to work the course to their liking in the first round of the Drex Guthrie Classic.

Strohmeyer was one of a handful of golfers to play in the early group, and he took advantage of the still morning air to post a score of 65.

The early-day tee time played right in to Strohmeyer’s hand. Despite a rough opening stretch, he was one over par in his first six holes before going seven under on his final 12; Strohmeyer ended his day with a share of the lead.

“I like playing in the morning,” Strohmeyer said. “You have perfect greens, and it is usually a lot cooler. You can kind of post a number and let others look at it.”

Arnaud started hot, with birdies on two of his first three holes, before cooling off somewhat during the middle of the round. He feels the afternoon wind caused was an issue for the later flight.

“The wind picked up some in the afternoon,” Arnaud said. “The rough is also pretty deep out there in some spots. If I can put together some clean rounds the next two days, then I should be in the mix.”

Glenn Northcutt, Ben Bates, Chase Blaich and David Miller finished the first round one stroke off the lead at 66, and Brandon Godwin sits alone with a 67.

 

Leaderboard after 18 holes

Scott Strohmeyer – 65

Michael Arnaud – 65

Glenn Northcutt – 66

Ben Bates – 66

Chase Blaich – 66

David Miller – 66

Brandon Godwin – 67

Rourke van der Spuy – 68

Jay Jurecic – 69

Kyle Sapp – 69

Tolver Dozier – 69

Ricky Casko – 71

Thomas Joiner – 72

Tony Mitchell – 72

Blake Olsen – 72

Nate Rau – 72

Will Repko – 72

Rick Whitley – 72

Michael Brennon – 73

Chase Williams – 74

Alex Snyder – 74

Alex Tull – 74

Matt Prichard – 81

Jordan Anderton – 83