news-record.com

GREENSBORO -- Drew Weaver, the decorated amateur from High Point, shot a 69 on Thursday in the first round of the Wyndham Championship while employing a borrowed caddie who knew less about the course than Weaver.

C. Damian Velasquez from Venezuela had been looping for Stewart Cink earlier this season and was Carlos Franco's regular caddie as recently as two weeks ago, when Franco decided he wouldn't play in Greensboro.

That changed last week, and Franco called Velasquez only to find out he'd committed to carrying Weaver's bag. Velasquez then called his brother to work for Franco.

Velasquez, known as "V" on the circuit, admitted he wasn't that familiar with the newly renovated Donald Ross-designed layout at Sedgefield Country Club.

"Drew probably knows it better than me," Velasquez said. "But it doesn't take me that long to know it. I can walk it one time and know it."

IT'S A HOOT: Nobody in the field is happier to be here than Stephen Poole, a third-year pro who shot a 4-under-par 66 in his first PGA Tour round.

The former Clemson Tiger has been carving out an existence on the fringe of the sport, having bounced between the Hooters and Tarheel tours with the occasional Nationwide gig. He got into the Wyndham when he won Monday's open qualifier. If not for that, he'd be at the Hooters stop in Dothan, Ala.

"Really, the first tee shot was the most nerve-wracking," he said. "I had to take a couple of deep breaths."

OMEN? Sure, Tim Clark wanted to save par on his final hole and take a share of the lead into the second round, but history says the top spot after 18 holes is far from necessary in this event.

In only five years has the first-round leader been ahead when it really counts. The most recent of the quintet was Jesper Parnevik in 1999.