NAPLES, Fla. – One-hundred and fifty-six players teed it up for this year’s edition of the Forty & Over Championship which is taking place across The Rookery at Marco and Eagle Creek Golf & Country Club. Through the first 18-holes, Chad Ibbotson fired a 6-under par, 66 which gives him a two-stroke lead heading into the second round tomorrow.
What Happened?
Play began at 7:30 a.m., with groups starting across both golf courses. Ibbotson, starting at The Rookery, caught fire early, rolling in four consecutive birdies from holes three through six. He added two more on the back nine to post the low round of the day across both courses and build a two-stroke advantage.
Two shots back at 4-under 68 are Brandon Collier and Bill Castleman. Collier, a Naples native, matched Ibbotson’s clean card, collecting all four birdies on par 4s. Castleman put together a more colorful scorecard, eight birdies offset by four bogeys, but included a run of three straight birdies from holes two through four.
Three players share fourth place at 2-under 70. Among them, Michael Young stood out as the only top-five player who began at Eagle Creek, picking up four birdies in his opening round. Joining him tied for fourth place are Joe Clarkson and Thad Hudgens.
What’s Next?
The players will swap courses for the Second Round– those who played The Rookery at Marco today will face Eagle Creek Golf & Country Club tomorrow, and vice versa. Once 36 holes have been completed, the field will be cut to the low 60 competitors and ties. The remaining players will tee off in an 8am shotgun start for the final round on Sunday.
