Bray takes lead at Walnut creek Open
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on September 17, 2009 2:04 PM
Players walked up to the scoreboard, squinted and scratched their heads.
The number next to Dustin Bray's name seemed almost unfathomable.
Bray fired a course-record round of 60 to take a two-shot lead on the first day of the eGolf Professional Tour's Walnut Creek Open. The 11-under par day broke the old course record by two strokes.
"I just had one of those days where I hit a lot of good shots and made a putt or two," said Bray. "Getting off to a good start was a lift and I kind of rode that momentum."
Bray belted a drive on the par-5 first hole only to see the ball land in a tough patch of rough. His second shot found a fairway bunker approximately 50 yards short of the green. The University of North Carolina graduate laid open a 9-iron and blasted the ball out of the sand and watched it spin back inside of two feet.
Bray followed the fortuitous birdie at the opening hole with consecutive birdies on the next three holes and stood 4-under.
But he wasn't finished.
After two shots on the par-5 fifth hole, the early leader scored an eagle.
"It was amazing. I couldn't believe that I was sitting on the tee six-under par through five holes." said Bray. "I kind of got excited and thought 'well lets try to do something we have never done before.'"
With a birdie on No. 7, Bray reached a number that most golfers only dream about. The Nationwide Tour regular rounded out a 29 with two pars and continued his assault on the back nine with four additional birdies.
Despite the success Bray was quick to point out a chance that got away.
On the par-4, 17th hole a bad drive left the leader in the trees. His second shot found the green, but left a tough putt that missed the hole and led to a par. At the finishing hole, Bray hit a lob wedge just behind the flag stick and spun it back nearly draining a second eagle for the day.
"I took a couple weeks off and worked with my swing coach," said Bray. "Nothing crazy just focusing on the basics and trying to set up correctly."
Reed Darsie carded the second-best round of the day, an 8-under 62 at Kinston Country Club. David Sanchez, who played in the same group as Bray, is third at 7-under 64.
The eGolf Professional Tour is back for its second appearance at Walnut Creek this season. Chris Rogers, who won the spring event, fired a 67 on Wednesday.