Sleeper picks: Charles Schwab Challenge

BETHESDA, Md. – Tiger Woods officially changed his putter but the results on the greens remained pretty much the same in a humid opening round of the Quicken Loans National at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm. Woods ranked 92nd of 120 players in Strokes Gained: Putting as he carded a grinding even par 70, leaving him seven shots off the pace set by leaders Andrew Landry and J.J. Spaun and in a tie for 48th place. The 79-time PGA TOUR winner added a TaylorMade Ardmore 3 mallet style putter, ditching the blade style putter he used for 13 of his 14 major championships, after recent poor results on the greens. Despite making just 48 feet, seven inches of putts Thursday – his longest being a birdie from eight feet, 11 inches – Woods said he was dedicated to the change. “I am very committed to it. It’s technology as well. We have the grooves in there just like when I was with Nike, helps roll the ball better, faster, earlier on the greens,â€� he said. “I’ve always struggled on greens that are a little on the slower side and these greens aren’t very quick right now and they won’t be quick in three weeks’ time, either. “So it was a nice thing to move to a putter that rolls a little bit quicker, it has more swing to it.  I’ve always liked putters that have some swing to it.â€� Short of a few misreads on his back nine Woods was adamant he putted well despite missing five putts inside 15 feet, three of which were inside 10 feet. “I rolled it well today, I really did. I hit a lot of good putts early that didn’t go in,â€� Woods claimed. “If I’m hitting putts on my line with my speed, then I’m happy. They’ll go in eventually. It’s been a while since I’ve done that.â€� OBSERVATIONS LANDRY GOES LOW … Last year TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm was the fourth hardest course on the PGA TOUR in its debut as host for the Quicken Loans National. Nick Watney fired a final-round 64 for the low round of the week. That mark was broken Thursday morning this year as Valero Texas Open champion Andrew Landry fired an impressive 7-under 63. J.J. Spaun then matched it in the afternoon for the pair to share the lead. Landry’s bogey free round was a welcome one given he’s missed three cuts, had a WD, and been no better than T65 since his breakthrough win in April.  Just last week he opened with an 81 at the Travelers Championship. “I’ve been working the last few days on doing something a little bit different in my golf swing and getting a little bit further away from it and it’s kind of making my plane a little bit flatter, which is what I need,â€� Landry, who sits 22nd in the FedExCup, said. “It’s definitely helping out and we’ll see how it goes.â€� BRACE SPAUNS RESURECTION … Earlier this season J.J. Spaun was being bothered by a pain in the back of his right hand. It was bad enough for him to WD at the Waste Management Phoenix Open after nine holes. But an MRI showed no problems so he battled on, playing at the Genesis Open and then The Honda Classic. It was in Florida the pain reared up again and Spaun figured enough was enough. So he went to see a hand specialist who works with the Los Angeles Dodgers. “He basically told me my ulnar nerve in my right elbow is compressed and it’s either from overuse or sleeping on it incorrectly,â€� Spaun revealed. “It’s almost sort of like cubital tunnel syndrome, it’s just kind of your arm, your hand goes numb.â€� The diagnosis meant six weeks off as he wore a brace at night to alleviate the condition.    “I had to sleep in an arm brace at night. It keeps my arm dead straight so you can’t bend it or sleep on it, so that was terrible for about a month,â€� Spaun added. “But it’s nice to kind of put that behind me and not really have to worry about it.â€� Although he’s missed five of eight cuts since his return he finished third at the AT&T Byron Nelson and sits tied for the lead after a bogey free 7-under 63 here at the Quicken Loans National. “I was making a lot of good putts from mid-range that I normally haven’t been making. I felt a lot more comfortable over my putter as of late and it’s kind of nice to hit a lot of greens, hit a lot of fairways and see some more putts go in,â€� he said. PUTNAM IN … In his first 120 PGA TOUR rounds, Andrew Putnam had zero scores of 64 or better. In nine rounds since, he has shot 64 four times including his opening round. Putnam missed six cuts in his first 11 starts of this season with no top-10s. In eight starts since, he is eight from eight making cuts with three top-10s including his runner up finish at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. “I’ve been playing good for the last couple months,â€� Putnam, who ranks 53rd in the FedExCup claimed. “You can’t score your best every single tournament, but I’ve made seven cuts in a row or more, so I would say that’s a pretty good streak.â€� NOTABLES MARC LEISHMAN – The 18th ranked player in the world hit just three fairways all day but still managed to shoot a 3-under 67 and sit in a tie for 10th. RICKIE FOWLER – Fowler sat two over through 13 holes but ground his way home with two late birdies to post at even par 70 and in a tie for 48th. KYLE STANLEY – The defending champion opened his account with a 1-over 71 to be T68 FRANCESCO MOLINARI – An impressive opening 67 from the world mo. 17 has him well poised in a tie for 10th. BEAU HOSSLER – His incredible Thursday run continues with a 5-under 65 to be tied fifth. QUOTABLES Sounds so cliché but you’ve just got to be so patient out there because one loose shot and you can really get yourself into some trouble. This course is tough. It penalizes you, except for Leish today. He hit three fairways and shoots 3 under. That’s hard to do on this place. It definitely wasn’t pretty … SUPERLATIVES Low round: 7-under 63 – Andrew Landry, J.J. Spaun Longest drive: 369 yards – J.B. Holmes on the par-4 6th. Longest putt: 60 feet, 1 inch – Marc Leishman nailed a birdie bomb on the par-3 3rd. Toughest hole: Par-4 11th played to 4.292 with just 10 birdies, 25 bogeys, seven doubles and two others. Easiest hole: Par-4 14th. The drivable par-4 played to a 3.658 average with four eagles and 51 birdies. CALL OF THE DAY For play-by-play coverage of the second round of the Quicken Loans National, listen at PGATOUR.COM. SHOT OF THE DAY

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Savanna Wiegand and Tony Layher have never met. It’s not likely they ever will. With the best days of her young life still ahead of her, Wiegand is thriving as a sophomore at Columbia College in South Carolina, playing golf on scholarship. Layher is a medically-retired Electrician’s Mate Chief who spent 18 years in the Navy, which is almost the same amount of time Wiegand has been on earth. As a result of two traumatic brain injuries, Layher suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and is prone to epileptic seizures. Along with his wife, Sarah, and seven children, home these days is on a rural parcel of land on the westside of Jacksonville, Florida. Savanna Wiegand and Tony Layher have nothing in common. Or so it would seem. On Wednesday of this week’s RBC Heritage, their worlds became one by virtue of the Kisner Foundation, organized and operated by PGA TOUR member Kevin Kisner and his wife, Brittany. The mission of the Kisner Foundation is to support organizations which lend support to the physical and emotional well-being of kids. Broad strokes paint a big picture of charity’s success. The truest, most resounding impact, though, is credited to the details, those being the lives of specific individuals and families enhanced by that organization. One result of that success is the First Tee of Aiken in Kisner’s South Carolina hometown. “I was about nine years old when my mom heard about The First Tee starting a chapter in Aiken,� said Wiegand. “From the get-go, she wanted me involved. I had played every other sport known to man, but had never touched a golf club. At first, I hated it and thought I couldn’t do it. But, as I kept going, I really started enjoying it. One time led to two and two times led to seven. Then, 10 years later, I became the first female graduate of the Ace program at the First Tee of Aiken. The program goes in levels, with Ace being the highest.� From a humble beginning in lean financial times, Wiegand’s life today is a far cry from what it once was. “I wouldn’t be nearly the woman I am today without The First Tee of Aiken,� she said. “When I started there, I had a really low self-esteem and didn’t like going out to meet people. I didn’t get out of my comfort zone. I was like a little shelled child. Not only did it give me the confidence and self-esteem to go out and make friends, but it helped me with school, essays and resumes. It’s so much more than just golf.� Wiegand’s first real passions were volleyball and dance. When her passion for golf developed through The First Tee of Aiken, for financial reasons, she needed to make a decision as to what she would stick with and pursue. “I chose golf and am so glad I did,� she said. “Without having made that decision, I wouldn’t have had nearly the number of opportunities I’ve had to grow into who I am today.� Among those opportunities, thanks to The First Tee of Aiken, is a golf scholarship. Today, Wiegand is in her second year at Columbia College with a double major in Communications and Business Administration, with a minor in Leadership. Not only is she active on the college’s golf team, but she also holds down two jobs and an internship. “I credit The First Tee of Aiken entirely for being able to get a scholarship to college to play golf,� she said. “She told me she used to go through life with no confidence,� said Kisner, winner of last month’s World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play. “But, now she has a golf scholarship to take care of the cost of her education and is as confident as ever. That makes me feel like everything we do is worthwhile.� Kevin and Brittany were instrumental in getting The First Tee of Aiken started and have been staunch supporters since its 2015 inception. In addition to financial assistance, the Kisner Foundation donates clubs and clothes and is continually trying to entice kids who’ve never been exposed to the game to give it a try. Kisner began fundraising in 2017. He and Brittany gave out seven grants in 2018 and have already provided 13 grants this year, as well as two scholarships – one for a male and one for a female – to go to college. “It’s always great to see kids go through The First Tee of Aiken program and make it,� said Kisner. “I loved Savanna’s comment about having built confidence in the program. That’s the best.� “The leadership ability they helped bring out in me has allowed me to go so far and overcome so much,� said Wiegand. “But, just having Kevin as the face of The First Tee of Aiken is amazing. I mean, he was just in the Masters last week and is from my town. He helps out my favorite organization on the planet and has truly changed lives forever.� To celebrate Wiegand’s success, she was treated to a unique experience during Wednesday’s RBC Heritage pro-am. She connected with Kevin formally for the first time, which included walking inside the ropes with him for several holes and even hitting a few shots. With confidence and talent, she did so in front of a crowd, something the old Wiegand would have never attempted. “My favorite thing about today was getting to hit that drive on 18,� Wiegand said. “But, one thing that really stood out was his advice to go bold and not play safe. His point was that if I didn’t go bold, I would never learn how to improve myself. I’m going to really try to incorporate that approach more often into everything I do. “He also encouraged me to only try to control the controllable. In other words, if I can’t control it, why focus on it? I need to try and focus on the things I can change. He was so enthusiastic about everything, so it was really an incredible experience for me.� Meanwhile, also at Harbour Town Golf Links, Brittany was representing the Kisner Foundation as an integral part of Operation Shower. Founded in 2007, Operation Shower provides expecting moms with ties to the Armed Services with gifts and a day of feeling appreciated for their hand in keeping America a safer, free country. The PGA TOUR partnered with Operation Shower in 2010. “Operation Shower has always been near and dear to our heart,� Brittany said. “Even though our foundation is based locally, it’s so great that we have been given the skills to do what we do because of the PGA TOUR. This mission of Operation Shower is so near and dear, because these men and women make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. So, anytime we can give back to them, we say, ‘Yes.’� A lot of broad strokes provide validation to Operation Shower, but, again, the clarity is in the details. In the case of Wednesday, that clarity came in the form of Tony Layher. Before two on-the-job traumatic brain injuries, Layher was a Nuclear Submariner. As such, he dealt with propulsion and electrical generation on nuclear submarines. He was on four different ships along the east coast and commissioned some of the newer classes of submarines.     As a surprise, Layher, his wife and the couple’s two-week-old baby – their seventh child – were featured as special guests. The Lowcountry Foundation for Wounded Military Heroes found the Layhers through their connection with Navy Wounded Warrior Safe Harbor. When an organization called Angel Flight Soars learned of the invitation, they prepared a “Compassion flight,� free of charge, from Jacksonville to Hilton Head and back. “This is absolutely amazing,� Layher said. “This is the first time we’ve had an organization do anything like this for us. Because I wasn’t a boots-on-the-ground combat veteran, I wasn’t given some of the avenues some of the others were presented. So, to be invited to this is pretty amazing. Everyone is treating us so well.� “I cannot even imagine the sacrifices they have made,� Brittany said. “As a result of brain injury, he battles PTSD and seizures. They’ve just had their seventh child and Tony’s wife is his primary caregiver. So, any help we can give to them and their children is something I’m happy to be a part of.� Kevin Kisner is peaking right now on the PGA TOUR. Having recently claimed his third career PGA TOUR title, he’s excited with where his game is. But, more than anything, he’s thrilled with where the collective heart of he and Brittany remains. “What I did with the PGA TOUR Wives Association gave me the courage and insight into the non-profit world,� Brittany said. “I’ve always worked with children in healthcare, but Kevin is the name and face. Everyone wants to see him. We’re so fortunate to have great sponsors that appreciate him and give back to our foundation. But, the work is just beginning.� And, for two individuals that have never met and may never come face-to-face with one another, it’s a fresh start as well. If the details that are Wiegand and Layher are any indication, the Kisner Foundation has become a pretty impressive portrait amongst a lot of broad strokes. “At the end of the day, when you can look around and see that the work you’re doing is making a difference, it makes all the work and effort worth every second,� Kevin said. “If you can see that kind of success, then that’s all we could ever ask for.�

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