Okanagan Sun’s starting quarterback looks forward to silencing his critics
3 golfers hit 7-under 65s after a 2-hour thunderstorm break
OAKVILLE, Ont. — Sitting in the clubhouse at Glen Abbey Golf Course during a nearly two-hour suspension of play Ollie Schniederjans, Kevin Chappell and Matt Every all killed time in different ways.
But when the thunderstorm finally passed, they put together identical 7-under 65s.
Schniederjans, Chappell and Every entered into a five-way tie with Brandon Hagy and Hudson Swafford, the clubhouse leaders from the morning group, atop a crowded leaderboard on Thursday after the first round of the RBC Canadian Open.
“I honestly struggled going back out there afterwards,” said Chappell, who was thrust to the top by a pair of eagles.
“Just kind of caught myself in a little bit of a daze, maybe lacking energy. I tried to eat as much as I could and tried to just kind of pick myself up a little bit.
“That’s the hardest part about those delays.”
Every, who is paired with Chappell and Danny Lee for the first and second rounds, was happy to let his mind wander.
“I don’t know, (the break) wasn’t a big deal to me. I probably didn’t stay focused,” laughed Every, who had seven birdies and never bogeyed. “Just had a coffee and kept my body warm. That’s about it.”
Schniederjans also eagled twice and finished his round just a few minutes before play was suspended due to darkness. He was philosophical about the thunderstorm disrupting play, saying it just comes with the territory.
“You’re going to get one every now and again. Definitely changes the vibe for the day,” said Schniederjans, who threeputted on his first hole back after the delay.
“Mentally, it’s tough to go two-putt a 70-footer after a delay over a giant hill. I was kind of forgiving on that, and got it back with an eagle on 18.”
Although a downpour that lasted most of the morning didn’t delay the early group, it still affected how the Jack Nicklaus-designed course played.
The normally firm fairways and greens softened, letting players stick their drives and play a straight-forward game.