Following a full week of excitement, the much awaited OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank as a part of the Korn Ferry Tour got underway at the La Paloma layout of the Tascosa Golf Club on Thursday.
Under hot and extremely windy conditions, 156 golfers are trying to make their mark to win this inaugural tournament, which is Amarillo’s first professional event in 36 years.
Locally, PGA Tour veteran Ryan Palmer, a deemed ambassador of the OccuNet Classic, and Randall High School graduate Wyatt Provence had the biggest followings on the day alongside John Daly II, the son of two-time major winner John Daly.
Making his first career professional start, Provence, a University of New Mexico golfer and the only amateur in the field, braved the winds with really good iron play, however, struggled on the greens. Provence carded a 3-over par 73 on the par 70 course, but is only two strokes back of the top 50.
“Making my first professional start was exciting,” Provence said. “I really enjoyed it but the wind made it very difficult. I had a few nerves going in but after that first tee shot I was able to settle down and I felt right at home again.”
Teeing off on No. 10, Provence started with five straight pars before back-to-back bogeys on No. 15 and No. 16. Provence was able to rally with a birdie on the par five No. 17, and hit a tremendous bunker shot to save a par on No. 18.
Playing the front nine for his final holes, Provence ended with seven pars and a pair of bogeys.
“I need to get better on my putting for Friday,” Provence said. “I thought I hit the ball really well, but I couldn’t get a putt to go down. I’m hoping a trip to the putting green can change things for Friday. The greens are fast and I was pulling a lot of putts. The course is the best I’ve ever seen it and the hardest.”
For Palmer, the most recognized name in the field, it wasn’t his best day. Teeing off at 6:50 a.m., the 49-year old Amarillo High graduate started on the back nine with three pars. Palmer stayed steady until he reached his eighth hole which was the par five No. 17. That’s when Palmer found trouble when his tee shot landed out of bounds and he was unable to recover, ending up with a triple bogey eight.
“The wind was blowing off the right side and the ball got a little cut to it and I knew it was gone the minute I hit it,” Palmer said. “I was unfortunate around the green. But I did some good things in my ball striking and I’m just going to try to get some confidence going on Friday. I’m headed to Italy and Germany in the next couple of weeks, so I’m looking for something to take over there.”
Palmer went on to finish with four bogeys on top of a double bogey but did finish strong with a birdie on his next to last hole, ending his round with an 8-over par 78.
“The way this round went has kind of been the story of my golf game this year,” Palmer said. “There were still a lot of good things I did that I’ve been working on and I saw a few bright moments. These winds made the course extremely tough and you never know what Friday holds.”
As for the rest of Thursday’s first round action, Ben Carr put together a sizzling opening round 64 on Thursday to take a two shot lead into the clubhouse. Despite the windy conditions, Carr had one bogey on the day to go with five birdies and ended his afternoon with an eagle on No. 17.
There is a three-way tie for second place with Ryo Ishikawa, Cole Sherwood and Chan Kim all sitting at 4-under par with a 66.
Playing in his first career professional tournament, Daly II quickly became a fan favorite with a major following. Daly got off to a quick start with a birdie on his opening hole but did see an up and down afternoon, scoring a 4-over par 74. Daly II tallied three birdies but did have two double bogeys on his card.
Follow the leaderboard
For a look at Thursday’s first round leaderboard, and Friday’s second round tee times, please visit https://www.pgatour.com/korn-ferry-tour/tournaments/2026/occunet-classic-presented-by-amarillo-national-bank/H2026173
