Okay.J. Choi posted a bogey-free, 6-under-par 66 to earn the first-round lead on the Best friend Problem on Friday in Grand Blanc, Mich.
The South Korea local made 4 of his six birdies at the again 9 at Warwick Hills Golfing & Nation Membership, sufficient to take a one-shot lead over a four-way tie for 2d.
Brett Quigley, David Branshaw, Stewart Cink and Australia’s Rod Pampling are knotted at 5-under 67. Every other staff tied at 4-under 68 comprises Glen Day, Bob Estes, Joe Durant, Jason Caron and Australian Greg Chalmers.
Choi, 54, is a month got rid of from the largest accomplishment of his senior occupation — a victory on the Senior Open Championship, his first main name of any type.
“This 12 months I am all higher after I strike the ball,” Choi stated. “Normally my using, an excessive amount of minimize it after which little just right fade, however this time is an overly strike the ball. … More than happy lately.”
Quigley, 55, began his around at the again 9 and birdied 5 of his first seven holes. He were given to six beneath with every other birdie on the par-5 first, however he bogeyed the following hollow and stayed at 5 beneath the remainder of the day.
It used to be a pleasing wonder for a participant who withdrew from the previous two PGA Excursion Champions occasions whilst nursing a couple of accidents.
“I have had some just right luck right here prior to, so I believe at ease right here,” Quigley stated. “I actually were given off to a pleasant get started, simply stored making some putts, hit it shut and had some just right probabilities. Yeah, I simply really feel at ease right here and glad. Truthfully, my purpose this week used to be simply to complete 3 rounds, so I’ve to do this two extra days, so we’re going to see the way it is going.”
Of the quartet tied at 5 beneath, most effective Pampling stored his card bogey-free.
“The whole lot’s been shut however simply hasn’t had the rest click on all 12 months,” Pampling stated. “Even the beginning of the week wasn’t feeling just right and I simply had a sense that I went with on Thursday within the pro-am, and it began coming round.”
Charles Schwab Cup cash chief Ernie Els of South Africa opened with a 2-under 70.
–Box Stage Media
