Reynolds takes Greater Cedar Rapids Open lead

Jay Reynolds' user-name on Twitter is “thinkbirdies.”

Reynolds took his own advice Friday, firing a 6-under-par 66 at Hunters Ridge for the best first-round score in the pro division of the Greater Cedar Rapids Open. If his play today and Sunday are similar, Reynolds will be happy he drove from his Austin, Texas, home to the Midwest.

After being stiff from the long ride, missing the cut at last weekend's Waterloo Open, and failing to qualify Monday for the Nationwide Tour's event in Omaha, it hadn't been a great trip.

“I feel like a golfer again,” said the University of New Mexico graduate in broadcast journalism.

Reynolds won the 2007 Waterloo Open, but the last year hasn't been great. He said he “destroyed” his right elbow during the filming of Golf Channel's reality series “Highway 18” last fall.

“I've had tendinitis in both ankles,” he said. “I've had neck problems, back problems.”

Friday, though, he resembled the player who won that Waterloo Open.

Thanks to strong afternoon wind, the advantage went to those who teed off Friday morning. That included Reynolds and the four players tied for second at 68. Play was suspended because of threatening weather at 7:07 p.m., with 21 players still to finish their rounds.

One of those who put up a 68 was Andy Winings. He's fresh out of the University of Kentucky and fresh off winning the $45,000 first-prize last Sunday at this year's Waterloo tourney.

“It's been a blur,” said Winings, of Brownsburg, Ind. “Today I played real well, really solid. I had a couple bogeys down the stretch, but I birdied 18 to make lunch taste a bit better.”

One of the other players who shot 68 was Rodney Hamblin of St. Paul, Minn., a 2007 Iowa State graduate. Sean McCarty of Solon had a 69, expressing disappointment afterward that he didn't seize more opportunities.

Brad George, a Linn-Mar graduate and sophomore on the University of Iowa's men's golf team, had an opening-round 72 to share the clubhouse lead in the amateur division with University of Tennessee junior Cameron Lawrence.

Lawrence had never seen Hunters Ridge before Friday. He got to town Thursday at 11 p.m. after driving here from Michigan with pro Phillip Pettit. The two played in the PGA Tour's Buick Open pre-qualifier that day. They began their driving trip in Nashville.

Lawrence had his caddie bib on and was going to loop for friend Phillip Pettit until GCRO co-founder got him a spot in the amateur field.

Pettit and Lawrence advanced to Monday's qualifier, so they'll drive back to Michigan Sunday night.

David Schultz and former PGA Tour player Dave Rummells had the best completed senior scores with 73s.