After finishing in the top 10 in each of the last two Nationwide golf tournaments he's played, Luke List was understandably eager to start the Chitimacha Louisiana Open.
The weather had another plan.
More than an hour after his scheduled 8:10 a.m. start, List made his way to the first tee. Three shots later -- including a chip-in for eagle -- he was 2 under par after one hole on his way to a first-round 67.
Chalk another one up for the newest weapon in List's bag -- patience.
"We just kind of waited around and watched 'SportsCenter' and The Weather Channel," said List, who was among seven golfers tied for second place, one shot behind John Riegger. "I ate a little more breakfast and stretched and stayed loose.
"I played really well in Central and South America and hoped it would carry over into this week."
Anyone who has ever watched the former Baylor School and Vanderbilit star swing a golf club knew this was his path. All the shots are at his disposal, and few obstacles are beyond his game's grasp. Throughout his storied amateur career that featured three major championship appearances and well-decorated collegiate play, List has never lacked ability.
"The first time I saw the kid, I told my playing partner, 'That kid is going to be a star,'" said Danny Elkins, who has been List's coach since 2002. "He's off the charts skillwise. The only thing that has kept him from making it big already is it seems like one bad shot a round really costs him."
At this level, one shot can determine who is swinging clubs for a living and who is doing it at the club dogfight. One shot is all most players get, and one bad shot is all it takes. One shot per round -- a poor chip that does not lead to par, a lipped-out 4-footer or a drive that could be a few feet off the fairway and means laying up rather than going for the green -- can be the difference between tour cards and carding tourists.
Want proof? List's fast start has him in the top 25 of the money list and ranked 23rd in strokes per round at 70.17. One more shot per 18 holes would rank 69th.
Want more? Well, listen to Elkins.
"There is such a small difference between the top players and the guys who are struggling," the Atlanta-area teaching pro said, "and of the guys who can really play, there's just not a lot of difference between the guy ranked 400th and the guy ranked 10th.
"In Panama, Luke goes par-birdie to close the final round to finish ninth. If just goes par-par, he finished tied for 25th. One shot in the final two holes, that's it."
List appears to be making the most of his first full-time shot on the Nationwide Tour.
After an offseason of practice and preparation with Elkins, List is confident in his game. Maybe more importantly, List is more comfortable than ever.
"Today was the first round in the last two tournament weeks that I didn't hit it that great," List said after making one bogey and three birdies with the opening eagle. "But I feel good, and I'm not putting a lot of pressure on myself and I'm having fun. Any time you can do that, it gives you such an added advantage."
List has searched for any extra edge during his nomadic golf path in the last five years. He is still chasing the big dreams of the PGA Tour and professional victory.
"He knows the deal and he knows what it will take," Elkins said Thursday. "If he can stay patient and make some putts, he's going to win. It may not be this week or next week, but he's going to win and win a lot. And when he gets comfortable holding that trophy, look out."
List is in position as of this morning to break the seal. It may be this Sunday or further down the road, but it's coming. Call it an overnight success, five years in the making.
"If that's the way they want to tab it, that's fine, but I think I'm just scratching the surface, honestly, and really starting to give myself chances," List said. "I know it's not like I'm beating the door down right now, but if I keep working I can get to the winner's circle, and that's the ultimate goal."
Whether it's this weekend or later this year, List is taking his best shot.