Despite nightmare start, Cox keeps composure

text size

LIVERMORE, Ca. -- For Kris Cox, the Livermore Valley Wine Country Classic at Wente Vineyards was over long before it was over.

Badz/PGA TOUR

Kris Cox had a nightmare start in the first round.

Like by the time his fourth tee shot during the first round was launched into the cool and breezy California air Thursday morning. Basically we're talking nanoseconds here because Cox's fourth tee shot of the day came on The Course at Wente Vineyard's first hole.

That's no typographical error mind you. He hit four off the No. 1 tee. The fourth, in case you were wondering, was necessitated by the third, which was necessitated by the second, which was necessitated by the first.

Understand? Cox's first drive -- a quick hook -- sailed out of bounds to the left. Ditto his second. And his third. So by the time Cox found the fairway on his fourth tee shot -- this after he gave in, switching from driver to a hybrid -- he was lying eight on his way to a 7-over-par 11.

"It was a fluke,'' Cox said. "It just happened. But I was getting a little more nervous with each shot. And I tried taking deep breaths. I knew I only had three balls left.

Persistent professional that he is, Cox played on, finishing his last 17 holes in a highly respectable 1-over par.

"I felt like I was just as capable of running off four or five birdies,'' he said. "That's the mindset you have to have or else I should have walked in.''

Cox signed for a first-round 80, a score that rarely draws accolades. But that's not the way playing partner Fran Quinn looked at it. Quinn, who opened with a 68, made it a point to shine a positive light on Cox.

"That was one of the classiest performances I've ever witnessed,'' Quinn said. "His demeanor never changed. He never complained. He was a real professional, a real champ.''