Hammes Sets Blazing Pace in Santa Cruz Masters Cup Opener

Adam Hammes has set a high bar for himself heading into the second round of the 35th Annual Santa Cruz Masters Cup presented by Innova. The American disc golfer carded an incredible bogey-free score of 14-under 61 at DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course, leaving the rest of the field in his wake.

Hammes was on fire from the start, sinking six birdies and eight pars to take control of the tournament early on. He maintained his focus throughout the round, refusing to let minor setbacks get him down. "I just tried to throw smooth shots, take a deep breath, and not find trouble," he explained.

The turning point came on the eighth hole, where Hammes saved par with an incredible 50-foot putt from a knee-high lie. This momentum-swinging shot seemed to energize him for the rest of the round. "If that putt was going to fall, I thought every putt would go in," he said, beaming.

Hammes now holds a two-stroke lead over Kevin Jones, with Jeremy Koling, Kyle Klein, and Brady Och trailing by three strokes. The top eight players all shot rounds under par, with Alden Harris impressing on his debut at DeLa.

The course's notorious challenges – cliffs, roots, and hardpan ground – required a cautious approach from many of the competitors. Harris employed this strategy to excellent effect, hitting several crucial putts to set the early pace in the clubhouse.

While speed control and angle play are essential skills for success on the course, Hammes emphasized the importance of mental preparation. "I've been working on my mental game, focusing on staying consistent and playing with a good attitude," he revealed.

With the likes of Paul McBeth, Ricky Wysocki, and Drew Gibson waiting in the wings, it's anyone's game heading into the second round. Hammes, Jones, Koling, and Klein will tee off at 12:52 p.m. PST on UDisc Live and PDGA Social Media platforms.

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This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/hammes-jumps-round-1-lead-delaveaga