HP Byron Nelson: Peter Hanson Leads After Day One

Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Peter Hanson fired a -5 under par 65 on day one at the HP Byron Nelson Championship in Las Colinas, Texas and takes a one-shot lead over a group at -4 under par that includes a former number one player. David Duval is on his first leaderboard in nearly 15 years, and almost withdrew from the tournament at TPC Four Seasons Resort because of pain in his right arm.

Thirty-six year-old Peter Hanson, who is from Trelleborg, Sweden, got off to a great start on Thursday, and got it to five under par on the front nine before making a bogey at the 14th hole. He got the stroke back with a birdie at the last hole to take the overnight lead.

Hanson is a six-time winner on The European Tour, but has never won on the PGA Tour. He missed the cut at The Wells Fargo a couple of weeks back at Quail Hollow.

The big story on the day, was former number one player, David Duval. Duval almost withdrew from the event because of pain in his right arm on Thursday.  He hit only 30 balls on Tuesday after arriving at the course to prepare for the event.

Mar 20, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; David Duval tees off the 16th tee box during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Later on Tuesday, he withdrew after six holes and went to the Fitness Trailer for treatment and a shot for pain.On Wednesday, he went to the range with his son, and caddie, Deano to hit some more shots, but had to quit after 20 balls because of the pain.

On Thursday morning, he went to the range and hit another 20 ball, and was still not feeling well. He went back to the fitness trailer for more treatment, and with 30 minutes remaining before his tee-time, considered withdrawing.

David Duval has had so few opportunities to play on this level, he decided to go ahead and play. He shot an opening round 66, and is just one stroke out of the lead.

It is the highest position Duval — the former No. 1 who entered this week ranked 890th in the world — has held after the first round of a PGA TOUR event in 12 years.

"Yes, it’s a wild story. And no, there are no guarantees he’ll be able to meet his Friday tee time at 7 a.m. After discussing his injury with the media after his round, he spent the rest of the afternoon getting more treatment.“It’s day to day,” Duval said, “and I’m just glad I chose to tee off today.”"

David Duval is 42 years old, and was the number one player in the world in 2001 after winning the Open Championship. He has 13 wins on the PGA Tour wins, but none since the victory at Royal Lytham St Anne’s.

Joining Duval at four under par, is Australian, Marc Leishman, and Tim Wilkinson. Leishman was a favorite coming into the HP Byron Nelson due to his expeirence with playing in the windy conditions like they have in the North Texas area this time of year.

Two strokes back at -3 under par is last week’s Players Champion, Martin Kaymer. Kaymer is continuing to play well at this time, and I expect him to be a factor before this tournament is over on Sunday afternoon.

Jordan Spieth, who came close at the Masters, and The Players Championship last week got his start as a teenager at The Byron Nelson back in 2010, shot even par on Thursday, and didn’t look real sharp. I think the pressure to perform may be taking a toll on the youngster.

Spieth is from the Dallas area, and played here as a teenager,  finishing his first HPBNC tied for 16th place.

Source: PGATour.com