Gusting Winds Don’t Stop Estes From Share of First-Round Lead

Fred Funk and Bob Estes battled differing conditions to the same result, sharing the lead Thursday in the opening round of the Heritage Classic.

Funk took advantage of a tame Harbour Town layout devoid of its menacing winds. Estes played through more gusty conditions in the afternoon. Both were at six-under 65, one stroke in front of Masters runner-up Tom Lehman and Barry Jaeckel.

Favorite Greg Norman led a group of six at 67 in the $1.25-million event.

Eight of the top 11 teed off before noon, when soft greens and sunny skies had players zoning in on the pins. The greens dried out by afternoon and shots that landed nicely for birdie tries earlier were skidding off the greens. Only nine of the 32 golfers who shot sub-70 rounds began in the afternoon.

Funk birdied the 16th and 17th holes, two of Harbour Town’s closing trio exposed to the unpredictable winds of Calibogue Sound. He said he was fortunate to get out before conditions changed.

“If you get some momentum here, you can really take advantage,” he said.

Estes had four of his seven birdies on the back nine, when the wind picked up considerably.

“Any wind on this golf course makes you guess a little bit, especially when it’s swirling around the greens,” he said.