Mayfair Beats Southern Hills With Windy 68

In what has been called a reward for the top 30 money winners, Billy Mayfair survived a punishing first round of the Tour Championship on Thursday with a two-under-par 68.

Despite a bogey on the 18th hole, Mayfair had a one-stroke lead over Brad Bryant, Vijay Singh and Payne Stewart.

They were the only players to break par on a blustery day at Southern Hills, which featured wind gusts to 30 m.p.h. and greens so fast that Nick Price had two short pitch shots spin 12 feet off the green en route to a triple bogey at No. 9.

“The course just wears you down,” Mayfair said. “You’re always thinking out here. I practiced a lot of knockdown shots and worked on my balance. Mostly, I went out ready for windy conditions.”

Justin Leonard and Bob Tway were at even-par 70. Steve Elkington and Ernie Els were among four players at 71. Greg Norman and Corey Pavin were at 72. Price shot a 77.

“The golf course is just so difficult that when you have wind that’s this hard, it’s not a lot of fun,” Bryant said. “Every time you hit a good shot, you’re proud of yourself. Whoever adjusts to the wind the best is going to win this tournament, unless it dies down.”