Kresge’s two eagles give him first-ever tour lead

PALM HARBOR, FLA. — Cliff Kresge nearly holed out from the fairway twice with a wedge in hand, so when his five-iron from 184 yards headed toward the flag Thursday, his caddie instinctively said, “Go in this time.”

And it did.

It was one of two eagles for Kresge, who was eight under par through 11 holes until a few errant drives down the stretch made him settle for a six-under 65 and a two-shot lead in the PODS Championship, the first time he has led any round in 114 starts on the PGA Tour.

Among those at 67 was Arron Oberholser, who believes he finally has a grip on his back problems.

“For 11 holes, it was a dream round,” Kresge said. “And then I kind of got in my way a little bit at the end. Still, six under is darn good.”

He was so flawless with his irons that the longest putt he made was from 10 feet for eagle on No. 11, and while Kresge knew he was playing well, the scoreboard offered even greater proof. At one point, he was five shots clear of the field.

Most players were curious about the Copperhead course at Innisbrook, one of the best on tour in Florida.

This tournament had been held in the fall since it began in 2000, a time when the fairways are crispy and quick, and the Bermuda grass is tricky.

With rye grass keeping the course green and lush, it didn’t allow anyone to run away, even though Kresge tried.

“It played a lot longer than it has ever played,” Jesper Parnevik said after a 68. “We hit shots into the green that you would never dream about hitting in the fall.”