Grant

Waite

Waite was the 12th alternate at the start of the week. He gained entry thanks to three withdrawals today. The one-time PGA TOUR winner hasn’t competed on the circuit since he missed the cut at this event last year.

The veteran was scheduled to go off the 10th tee at 1:50 p.m. PT. He scored negative-12 points in the opening round on eight bogeys and two doubles. He circled just one birdie. If an explanation is released for today’s decision, we will relay it to you. However, since he’s no longer active on the PGA TOUR, we will leave him off our Injury Report.

Waite started the week no higher than 27th alternate, but gained entry when Kyle Reifers withdrew. Waite missed the cut in his 2012 PGA TOUR debut at the True South Classic two weeks ago. The one-time PGA TOUR champ is a full-time swing coach these days. He’s worked recently with Mike Weir.

Waite has played on the PGA and Nationwide Tours this season and had a T-38 at last week’s Fry’s Electronics Open.

Waite has split time this year between the PGA and Nationwide Tours and he has a nice history of three Top-7 finishes in the 12 times he has played at the Viking Classic.

Waite played in last week’s New Zealand PGA and most likely is playing in the Nationwide Tour’s Moonah Classic in Fingal, Australia this week. He has been replaced in the field by Mike Heinen, who missed the cut in last year’s Mayakoba Classic.

Waite has played on the Nationwide Tour this season. He has a weak record at the LaCantera course, with one made cut in six starts.

Waite has been mostly playing on the Nationwide Tour this season, where he has been in a mini-slump recently, with only two made cuts in last seven starts.

Waite was the 4th alternate when the field was published on Friday. This will be his sixth start on the PGA Tour this year, where he’s made just one cut (T-61, Pebble Beach). Waite will be making his 14th start at the Viking (11th since the event shifted to Annandale) but hasn’t cashed since a T-65 in 2004. Unless he gets red-hot in the Fall Series, he’ll be returning to Q School.

Waite tied with Canadian Tour rookie Ben Fox for medalist honors with a round of 71 on the Sun Mountain course at Paiute Golf Club. Also gaining entry to the field were Cody Freeman and Tour veteran John Huston, with rounds of 72.