As gusting winds swept across the Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal course at Diamante, three golfers – Kevin Streelman, Tom Whitney, and Rico Hoey – navigated the challenging conditions to claim a share of the lead after the first round of the World Wide Technology Championship in Los Cabos, Mexico. The trio carded matching 5-under 67s to set the pace in this picturesque yet demanding setting.
Streelman’s Fast Start
Veteran Kevin Streelman, seeking his first PGA Tour victory since 2014, got off to a blistering start on the blustery afternoon. The 46-year-old opened his round with an eagle on the par-5 first hole, followed by a birdie, capitalizing on the downwind conditions. “It’s a tiring golf course, especially when it blows this hard out here,” Streelman remarked, emphasizing the need to take advantage of scoring opportunities when they arise.
Whitney’s Early Birdie Barrage
Tom Whitney, also in pursuit of his maiden PGA Tour title, stormed out of the gates with birdies on each of his first three holes. The fast start prompted the 33-year-old to recalibrate his expectations for the round. “Starting the day on this golf course you’re thinking, ‘I need to get it to 6, 7, 8,'” Whitney shared. “Then the wind starts blowing and you kind of temper those expectations. I’m very pleased with 5 under.”
Defending Champion van Rooyen in the Mix
Defending champion Erik van Rooyen finds himself just one stroke off the lead after an opening 68. The South African, who claimed his first PGA Tour victory at this event last year, noted the stark contrast in conditions compared to his winning campaign. “Completely different test than what we had last year,” van Rooyen observed. “There was maybe one club of wind last year.”
Echavarria’s Bogey-Free Start
Colombia’s Nico Echavarria, fresh off his breakthrough win at the Zozo Championship in Japan, continued his fine form with a bogey-free 69. The 28-year-old credited his solid start to his ability to navigate the windy morning conditions, stating, “It was a good round, good start, bogey-free. A lot of wind for the morning.”
Leaderboard Logjam
A tightly congested leaderboard sees Streelman, Whitney, and Hoey leading a pack of nine players separated by just two strokes. Joining van Rooyen and Echavarria at 4-under 68 are Taylor Montgomery, Max Greyserman, Nate Lashley, Austin Eckroat, Kelly Kraft, and Ryan McCormick, setting the stage for a wide-open weekend at El Cardonal.
You have holes you need to take care of, with No. 1 being one of them. It’s kind of a downwind par 5, and 18 is a similar fashion. But then you turn into the wind.
– Kevin Streelman on navigating El Cardonal’s windy layout
The Road Ahead
As the World Wide Technology Championship heads into the second round, the field will be tasked with not only continuing to battle the blustery Cabo San Lucas conditions but also jockeying for position in what promises to be a captivating sprint to the finish line. With a trio of leaders hungry for victory and a tightly bunched pack in hot pursuit, golf fans are in for a treat as this seaside showdown unfolds at the stunning yet unrelenting El Cardonal layout.
