Cauley’s 63 leads RBC Heritage
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Bud Cauley took advantage of pristine, windless conditions at Harbour Town Golf Links with birdies on four of final five holes for an 8-under 63 and a two-shot lead Thursday after the opening round of the RBC Heritage.
Cauley hadn't made many waves at Harbour Town his first three visits with two missed cuts and only one round in the 60s. This time he made eight birdies in a bogey-free round, including three straight to finish with a flourish.
“You never go out thinking you're going to shoot that,” Cauley said. “I just got into the round and was swinging well and tried to give myself as many looks as I could.”
The 63 was one shy of the 27-year-old Cauley's career low (62 at the McGladney Classic in 2012) and two off the tournament mark of 61 shared by David Frost and Troy Merritt.
Cauley was two in front of Luke Donald, Graham DeLaet and Sam Saunders, the grandson of the late Arnold Palmer. Russell Henley continued his recent run of top-flight golf with a 66 to join a group that included former U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson and Ian Poulter.
But it was Cauley's strong finish that led the way. He rolled in a 5-footer for birdie on No. 16, an 8-footer for another on No. 17 and hit a near perfect approach to the usually wind-swept 18th green off Calibogue Sound to inside 12 feet for the twostroke edge.
While the lack of wind certainly helped, Cauley said his shot selection and game plan coming in were essential in his success. “The last five holes I hit every shot just kind of how I was looking,” he said. “So that was a nice way to finish.”
Cauley hasn't had the greatest season, missing seven cuts in 12 starts. His best showing was a third at the CareerBuilder Challenge in the California desert. He hopes this start can propel him to bigger things.
Dustin Johnson said he'll return to the PGA Tour at the Wells Fargo Championships at Eagle Point Golf Club from May 4-7.
The Wells Fargo Championship announced Johnson's status Thursday.
Johnson was among the favorites to win the Masters last week after winning three straight tournaments. But a fall at his rental home hurt his back the day before the year's first major was to start.
Johnson warmed up last Thursday on the Augusta National practice range and came out to the putting green near the first tee. But he headed off the course and withdrew with a bad back.
Johnson said then he had planned to take three weeks off following the Masters.
Ariya Jutanugarn and InKyung Kim each birdied their final hole Thursday to share the lead halfway through the second round of the LPGA Lotte Championship.
Jutanugarn had a bogeyfree 6-under 66, and Kim shot 64 to reach 9-under 135 at Ko Olina Golf Club.
Jutanugarn won five times last season and was the LPGA Tour's player of the year.
Alena Sharp (69) and first-round co-leader Mi Hyang Lee (70) were a stroke back.