What Happened
Dillon Board sits at the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the 77th Florida Open Championship, firing a 7-under 64 to take the first-round lead. In total, 156 players teed it up on Friday at The Golf Club at Crown Colony and Cypress Lake Golf Club.
After playing his first seven holes at even-par, Board got it going to close out his first nine with a birdie on the 17th and an eagle on the 18th. He kept it rolling on his final nine. The Jacksonville native went bogey-free to end day, birdieing three of his final five holes to take the first-round lead.
Two players finished the day in a tie for second at 6-under 65: Andy Pope and Wyatt Plattner. Pope, the 2023 Florida Open champion, got his title defense off to a good start with a bogey-free 65 with six birdies.
Plattner took a share of second place with a strong start, finishing the day with five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 18th hole.
What’s Next
The second round of the Florida Open Championship will begin Saturday with a cut to low 60 and ties following the second round.
Notable
Seventy-eight players teed it up at Crown Colony, while 78 players teed it up on the Cypress Lake.
Thirty-six players finished the day at under par or better.
The 2021 Florida Open champion, Connor Arendell finished the day in a tie for fourth after a first-round 66.
Plattner sits at the top of the Amateur leaderboard at 6-under 65.
The par-4 16th hole at Crown Colony played the hardest in the first round, while the par-4 second hole at Cypress Lake played the hardest.
Six players finished the first round with seven birdies.
Quotable
“The golf course is in such good shape, credit to them Crown Colony for getting the greens firm and fast. For how hot it is, it is really remarkable with how well they have done here. Kudos here to everyone at crown colony.” – Pope on the how Crown Colony played in the first round
“The greens here at Crown Colony were great, some of the best greens I have ever putted on. It is pretty tight tee to green and I hit it great today.” – Evan Bowser said on his first-round 65
“I have the same game plan for tomorrow, hit fairways and greens, hopefully some putts drop and just try to keep plotting my way around.” – Wyatt Plattner on playing Cypress Lake tomorrow
“I started on the back and there are some tighter holes. I was just getting it around and ended up making some putts. The front is a little more forgiving on the front, so I was able to let it flow. I played the par-3 well at 2-under. I just hit it really well, so overall a good day.” – Dillion Board on his first-round 64
