With Jesse Smith, Hank Kim and Andy Bare just halfway through the back nine, Michael Sims was forced to wait things out on the clubhouse patio before beginning any celebrations. It wasn’t long until the round was up, and by the time the last group came in, Sims was still on top.

While the last hole of the day may leave a bitter taste, Smith heads into the last two days of the Classic 11 strokes under par, good enough for a two-stroke lead.

After the first round ended, David Robinson was tied atop the leaderboard with Andy Bare, who also posted a 65. Both were just a shot off the course record of 64 set during last year’s inaugural Spring Creek Classic. Both Bare and Robinson have already won a pair of events on the tour this season, with Bare winning last week’s Warrior Classic in China Grove, N.C.