Kodak Challenge adds to competition at charity golf tourney

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

The stakes are a little higher at TPC at Summerlin’s 16th hole this week.

In addition to being the course’s shortest par five at 560 yards, it’s also the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open's Kodak Challenge hole.

The Kodak Challenge is a yearlong PGA Tour competition that combines scores from 30 of the most picturesque holes in the country.

The player with the best score at the end of the challenge will win $1 million. For the last four months, Kevin Streelman has been the leader. He built on that lead during the first day of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Open with a birdie on 16.

“It’s nice to get the birdie out of the way early and then be able to freewheel it the rest of the way,” Streelman said. “Sometimes, you’ve got to remember you’re still in a tournament. It’s a tournament within a tournament.”

Streelman is two strokes ahead of the other professionals in the running to win the challenge. After this week, only three holes remain before the end of the competition.

“It’s what guys talk about in the locker room, and it’s a lot of fun,” Streelman said. “The whole winner-takes-all mentality is something unique for us. It adds pressure to it.”

Former Rebels roundup

Out of the five UNLV graduates in the field, Charley Hoffman had the best day by posting a 5-under 66.

Hoffman, class of 2000, is four shots behind the leader. Chad Campbell, class of 1996, and Ryan Moore, class of 2005, both finished with a 4-under 67.

Bill Lunde, class of 1998, shot a 3-under 68. It was a rough day for Chris Riley, class of 1996, who went 2 over.

Moore and Campbell randomly wound up in the same pairing for the first two days. Their group will tee off at 11:58 a.m. Friday on the 10th hole.

No President’s Cup hangover

Less than a week ago, the United States team scored an emotional victory over the International team in the 2009 President’s Cup in San Francisco.

Four of the 12 members of America’s team are participating in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Open, including Jim Furyk who shot a 7-under 64 and is tied for sixth after one round.

Furyk said he had not found it difficult to transition back to a normal tournament after the President’s Cup.

“I knew I was coming to Las Vegas, so you get that set in your mind,” Furyk said. “You know going to the President’s Cup that’s it’s an emotionally-draining week.”

The other three President’s Cup players in the tournament are Anthony Kim, Hunter Mahan and Tim Clark.

Kim shot 1-over 72 Thursday. Mahan finished 1-under 70. Clark shot 2-under 69.