Bests
Little guy, big stats
Here’s one for the little guy.
Spaniard Juan Quiros, a 5-foot-7, 154-pounder who plays on the European Senior Tour, fired a 3-under-par 33 on the front nine (his second nine) to jump up the leaderboard with a 67.
Marquee leaderboard.
There are some big names up there, including Fred Funk, John Cook, Tom Kite, Tom Watson, Greg Norman. “This is the kind of golf course that, if you’re playing really well, it rewards you,” Funk said.
Eagles fly on No. 3.
Despite the tees being pushed back to make the third hole 601 yards, the downhill slope and favorable breeze allowed for seven eagle-3s. A bear and a fox were spotted from No. 9. Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
Worsts
Short-term good fortune
Alternate to alternate.
Steve Heckel, who joined the field earlier in the week as an alternate when Graham Marsh withdrew, had to withdraw due to complications from arthritis. He was replaced by amateur Chick Berry.
Inconsistent greens.
It might not have been preventable, but because the putting surfaces were watered periodically the speed was even more difficult to judge. “There was more moisture in some than others; it was kind of like a mix-and-match,” Greg Norman said.
Egads, Eaks.
R.W. Eaks, who has played Broadmoor East at least 200 times, birdied Nos. 3 and 4 but finished 2-over after four bogeys. Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
Hole of the day
504-yard, par-4 10th.
John Cook gained at least a stroke on most of the field when he birdied the long dogleg left — his opening hole of the tournament. After a drive of more than 300 yards, Cook knocked a 6-iron approach to within six inches of the cup for a tap-in 3. No. 10 played as the toughest hole on the course, with an average of 4.63 strokes. That included just six birdies. Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
