John and Little John Daly went on a birdie binge like the old man often did in his prime.
The Dalys birdied 11 of the last 13 holes to shoot a bogey-free, 13-under-par 59 in the best-ball format to take a one-stroke lead David and Carter Toms after the first round in the 21st PNC Father-Son Challenge at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Grande Lakes http://www.grandelakes.com/orlando-golf-resort/The-Ritz-Carlton-Golf-39.html in Orlando, Fla.
“We weren’t really thinking about it,” Big John said after the Dalys tied the tournament course record after making birdies on the last six holes. “They said we birdied 11 out of 13 and I said, ‘Really? That’s pretty cool.’ The difference (from the last two years) is he’s so much better. He hits it about where I do. I know by next year, he’ll be hitting it past me.”
Said 15-year-old Little John: “It was fun.”
The Dalys also birdied four of the first seven holes to stay close to Stewart and Connor Cink, the 2013 champions, who led much of the way after birdies in eight of the first 11 and added an eagle on the final hole to tie for third with Jack and G.T. Nicklaus, who eagled No. 3, at 61.
Then Team Toms birdied five of the last six holes to leapfrog Team Cink and Team Nicklaus by finishing at 60.
Lee and Connor Janzen collected seven birdies on the back nine to post a 62 that put them in a tie for fifth with 2012 winners Davis and Dru Love, who had six birdies coming home.
Mark and Shaun O’Meara had six birdies on the back nine to card a 63 and tie for seventh with Retief and Leo Goosen, who birdied six of eight holes in the middle of their round, and Jerry and Wesley Pate, who birdied the last six.
Vijay and Cass Singh birdied six of the first nine holes on their way to a 64 and are tied for 10th with Nick and Matthew Faldo, who climbed into the top 10 with birdies on the last two holes, and Jim and (his dad) Mike Furyk, who birdied the final hole.
The pros qualified their families for the tournament by winning one of the four majors or the Players Championship during their careers.
For complete results, visit https://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html
