The Sanford International barely got started Friday before the weather took over.
High winds and later lightning disrupted the opening round at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, leaving Chad Campbell and Mark Wilson tied for the lead at 3 under despite neither player finishing 18 holes.
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MORE: Chad Campbell, Mark Wilson Share Lead After Wild Sanford Start
Campbell reached 3 under through 16 holes, while Wilson matched him after nine. No player in the field completed the opening round before play was suspended for the day.
The first major stoppage came late Friday morning because of high winds. Players were kept off the course for more than five hours before competition resumed in the evening. Lightning then forced another suspension shortly after 7 p.m. CT.
That means Saturday will be busy.
The first round is scheduled to resume at 7:30 a.m. CT, with the second round not beginning before 10:30 a.m. The field will be re-paired based on scores for a two-tee start.
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Campbell’s position is especially notable.
The 52-year-old is searching for his first PGA Tour Champions victory in his 53rd start. He’s won four times on the PGA Tour, but his best Champions finishes are a pair of ties for eighth.
Friday’s round featured plenty of movement. Campbell mixed three bogeys with six birdies, including birdies at Nos. 14 and 16 shortly before play was stopped.
Wilson was cleaner.
The 51-year-old made birdies at Nos. 15, 16 and 18 during his opening nine and also remains in pursuit of his first PGA Tour Champions title. His best finish on the circuit is a tie for ninth at the 2025 PURE Insurance Championship.
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Bernhard Langer lurks one shot back at 2 under through 11 holes. The 68-year-old is chasing a record-extending 48th PGA Tour Champions victory.
Defending champion Retief Goosen is also firmly in the mix at 1 under through 11, alongside Ken Tanigawa and Ricardo Gonzalez.
The wildest moment of the day belonged to J.J. Henry, who made a hole-in-one at the par-3 17th from 174 yards with a 6-iron.
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Friday didn’t produce a completed round.
It did, however, create a crowded leaderboard and a long Saturday ahead.
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