Weekley in Front at Storm-Delayed Australian PGA


Boo Weekley got off to a good start in the Australian PGA. The final event in the troika of big tournaments Down Under - following the Australian Masters won by Aussie Nick Cullen and the Australian Open by American Jordan Spieth - got underway Thursday at the RACV Royal Pines course in Benowa.

Weekley, a folksy 41-year-old from Milton, Fla., posted five birdies, an eagle on the par-4 17th hole after holing from around 150 yards with an 8-iron, and a bogey for a 6-under 66, two strokes ahead of Aussies David Smail, Adam Scott, Wade Ormsby, James Marchesani and Craig Hancock.

Weekley and the group tied for second were the lucky ones as a lightning storm came through to cause two suspensions of play Thursday. The first delay lasted three hours and ultimately made it impossible for many in the field to complete their first rounds. Those who didn't will be on the course at 5:00 a.m. Friday to resume play.

Also at 4-under were South Korean Jin Jeong, who finished 12 holes, and Aussie Tom Bond (nine holes).

Weekley, playing in his third Australian tournament in four weeks, was pleased with his performance. "I struck the ball solid, kept it in play, hit one bad drive and got away with it," he said.

In analyzing his Australian adventure, he noted, "The first week I didn't make no putts, hit it pretty solid, just didn't make no putts and the next week made some putts but to me didn't hit my irons as well. So now it was kind of like they both came together."

He certainly feels at home with the conditions. "It's very similar [to Florida], the way the weather is right now. It's hot and steamy and feels like it's going to rain again."

Scott, the No. 3-ranked player in the world behind Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson, is the defending champion. He too was happy with his day. "It was a pretty solid start," said the 34-year-old from Adelaide.

Scott finished tied for second in the Australian Masters and T-4 at the Open, eight shots behind Spieth, who won by six strokes after a scintillating final-round 63. "I can always find a reason to be better, but I'll take that considering the starts I've got off to the last couple of tournaments," he said.

Scott believes the course will yield low scores. "I didn't make a ton of putts today, so if you can have a hot day with the putter certainly getting in at 8-under in a day is not unrealistic around here."

Ten players are at 3-under, with four still needing to complete their rounds at RACV Royal Pines. In the latter group is Cullen, who has six more holes to play Friday before his opening outing is official.

For updated scoring, visit http://www.pga.org.au/tourns/pga-tour/event/leaderboard?id=1077&season=2014&tour=pga#holes10-18-011340.