Three tied for Suncoast Classic lead after first round

Thursday's first round of the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic, held at Lakewood National Golf Club, saw Korn Ferry Tour competitors playing golf like it was a game of limbo.

How low could they go?

The answer for Logan McAllister, Jackson Suber and Patrick Cover was 8 under par (63). The trio leads the tournament after one round, one stroke in front of seven golfers at 7 seven under par. At last year's tournament, there were only six rounds of 63 or better all week, so with three on the first day, the 2023 event is off to a hot start. 

"It (Lakewood National) is pretty forgiving off the tee, but you've got to be pretty precise with the iron shots," McAllister said following his round. "I'd say the pins, some of them were pretty easy today and I took advantage of the ones that you could kind of get after and played away from the ones that were a little bit tougher and just got my two putts and moved on." 

Cover said the course sets up good iron opportunities if golfers can hit their drivers straight, which he feels like he did. Taking advantage of those iron opportunities is what led to his low score, Cover said. 

The tournament will continue with round two at 7 a.m. Friday, and runs through Sunday's final round.