Youth took a back seat Friday during the first round of The Watson Challenge.
Watson Challenge veteran Rob Wilkin posted the lowest opening-round score, setting the pace with a blistering five-under, 67.
Wilkin piled up five birdies on the day, on No. 3, 4, 14, 16 and 18, and an eagle on No. 12.
Tournament namesake Tom Watson issued a challenge to the entire field Thursday at the annual Player’s Dinner, telling the 47 other golfers to “bring it.”
Watson delivered on his challenge, firing a one-under, 71.
The five-time Watson Challenge champion carded birdies on No. 6, 7 and 18.
However, sharing a T-2 with Watson was defending champion Chase Hanna and Josh Weems who each posted one-under, 71s.
Hanna rolled in birdies on No. 1, 8 and 18 and tacked an eagle on No. 4.
Weems’ scorecard was littered with six birdies, including a stretch of back-to-back-to-back birdies on No. 10-12.
Four golfers shared a T-5 finish with even-par, 72s, including Mark Terranova, Travis Mays, Bryan Norton and junior exemption Tanner Owen.
Saturday’s second of round begins at 7:30 a.m. and concludes at 10 p.m.
The final pairing on Saturday includes tournament leader Wilkin and a partial recreation of last year’s Watson Challenge pairing between Watson and Hanna.
All results and pairings can be found on the website, here.