Gavin Hall's debut on the PGA Tour didn't go as well as planned, yet the 15-year-old golfer was still smiling after shooting a 6-over-par 78 in the first round of the Turning Stone Championship.
''It was a good day. It was all right, just a struggle from the first hole as you guys could see,'' said Hall, who is trying to become the second-youngest player in tour history to make a tournament cut. ''But that's going to happen in golf. It was just unfortunate, one of my bad days of golf happened at a PGA Tour event.''
Hall said he still had a lot of confidence. And why not, he shot a 10-under-par 62 two weeks ago to set a scoring record at the U.S. Junior Amateur.
''I've been having strong finishes the last three or four weeks. I think I can definitely improve on it and post a good number (Friday).''
The left-handed teenager was followed by a gallery of about 200 fans, by far the day's largest. He opened with a double bogey before making birdie at the par-5 fifth hole. He then hit trouble on the back nine with bogeys at the 12th and 14th and a triple bogey at No. 13.
''Middle part of the round was just rough. I wasn't in rhythm,'' he said. ''I learned to keep your emotions in control. That's the thing.''
Hall played in a group with New Zealander Tim Wilkinson and Cameron Tringale. Wilkinson was impressed with his young playing partner.
''It's hard watching someone that's a little bit nervous on the first few holes. I think he had a little bit of adrenaline going early on,'' said Wilkinson, who shot a 5-under 67. ''He hit it over a few greens, but after that he played really well. As long as he has fun and learns from it, he's got a big future in front of him. He's got a good game.''
Rain delayed play in the morning for nearly three hours.
