It may be hard for most golfers to admit it, but when it comes to count-every-stroke tournament play, most leave their best golf at home or in the trunk. It’s true for low-handicappers just as it’s true for high-handicappers.

Some would say it’s the pressure. Being out of a certain comfort zone is the more likely culprit. Most are used to playing with family or friends or on familiar courses. Changing up the routine is paid for in extra strokes.

Some, though, handle it better than others. They’re the ones who regularly contend. Curtis Hill is one of those guys even if he was having a hard time admitting it Friday after the first round of the Westwood Invitational Presented by Oklahomatickets.com at Westwood Park Golf Course.

“I didn’t have it today,” he said after posting a 76 in Masters Flight.

It the first day and he’s only six shots off the leaders’ pace.

There’s still two more rounds to play and Hill has a penchant for being there in the end. He moved up to Masters Flight this year, but he’s already claimed a Second Flight title in 1994 and a pair of First Flight victories in 2001 and 2004.

“Some guys out there don’t seem to be able to concentrate,” Hill said. “I’ve just always seemed to concentrate a little better when I play in this tournament.”

You’ll have to give him some slack if his focus slips from time to time. He is one of the many unpaid volunteers who help during the tournament’s three-day run. He’s a consistent presence at the scoreboard after he finishes playing his early-morning round, which began at 7 a.m. Friday. The last scorecards were finally added up a little before 8 p.m. Friday night.

The long days aren’t exactly ideal for those trying to win a golf tournament. Then again, Hill has done it all before.

“That’s the thing about this tournament: For some guys, it seems to all come together or maybe they just get lucky,” he said. “For other guys, nothing happens. You never know until you start playing.”

Championship Flight

With light winds throughout the morning, most of the tournament’s top flight had no problem getting birdie putts to fall. Over half the 27-player field posted red numbers. Taylor Artman and Sam Powell inflicted the most damage to par. Both shot 65 to claim the early lead.

Both have a lot of tournament experience very close behind.

Kelsey Cline and Westwood Park assistant professional Rick Parish both shot 66. Mark Austin fired a 67. Scott Kedy, Ryan Rainer, Michael Higgins and Freddie Wisdom both shot 68.