Immelman hits back at Old White TPC

Trevor Immelman hasn’t had much to cheer about since his Masters triumph – until the 1st round of the Greenbrier Classic.
Trevor Immelman hasn’t had too much to cheer about since his 2008 Masters triumph – until Thursday’s first round of the Greenbrier Classic at the Old White TPC in West Virginia.
An unlucky mix of illness, injury, left wrist surgery in 2008 and the resultant loss of form and confidence has held him back for the past couple of years, but that changed on Thursday when a magnificent round of ball striking saw him take the first round lead with a stunning 6-under-par 64.
The US-based South African targeted the pins with some magnificent iron play to give himself plenty of chances in his seven-birdie, one bogey performance.
And in the process he put himself into the second round with a one shot lead over a log-jam in second place that included Americans Billy Mayfair, Derek Lamely, Gary Woodland and Webb Simpson, and Australia’s Steve Bowditch.
The 34-year-old was clearly upbeat that, after months of fruitless toil and trouble and four missed cuts in his last six PGA Tour starts, he had finally found some of the form that had previously earned him his coveted Green Jacket.
“Obviously I’m excited with the 64 today,” he told the media after his day in the sun.
“Any time you shoot a number like that it’s exciting. That’s why you put all the hard work in.
“It’s been a frustrating couple of years not being able to swing the way I want to swing or practising the way I want to practise.”
A medium-length hitter renowned for his accurate ball-striking and course management, Immelman had wrist surgery in October, 2009 after suffering from tendinitis for much of that season.
He missed 10 of 19 cuts on the 2010 PGA Tour as he struggled to rebuild his game, but was greatly encouraged by his all-round improvement coming into the 2011 season.
“My wrist has been pretty good,” he said. “It hasn’t bothered me at all so I’ve been able to get back to some of the stuff I used to do four or five years ago. I’ve seen some signs of good play and some good shots at the right time.”
Canada’s David Hearn, Zimbabwe’s Brendon de Jonge and Americans Chris Di Marco and Kyle Stanley opened with 66s to be just two shots off the pace, but the gallery favourite and world number six, Phil Mickelson, was clearly frustrated after carding an up-and-down level-par 70.
“It was a disappointing overall score for me, because I played well enough to shoot low,” said Mickelson, who played alongside Tom Watson and the inaugural defending champion Stuart Appleby.
“I missed six putts inside six feet, and I just can’t do that. I’ve got to get this turned around for tomorrow.”
Mickelson, a four-times major winner, offset five birdies with five bogeys in his round.
The 61-year-old Watson opened with a 75 while Appleby, who triumphed by one shot last year after closing with a scintillating 11-under-par 59, returned a 71.
“It’s very different golf course and my score was very different,” said Appleby, referring to his record-equalling finish last year. “It’s a lot more difficult, a lot longer.
“Playing with two legends – who are both still growing their legendary status – was fantastic. I was definitely the third wheel out there,” the Australian added with a grin.
TOP 10 LEADERBOARD
64 Trevor Immelman (RSA)
65 Billy Mayfair (USA), Derek Lamely (USA) 65, Webb Simpson (*USA) 65, Steven Bowditch (Aus) 65, Gary Woodland (USA) 65
66 Chris DiMarco (USA) 66, David Hearn (Can) 66, Brendon De Jonge (Zim) 66, Kyle Stanley (USA) 66
Latest
-
PGA Tour
Justin Rose wins AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am to claim first title since 2019
Monday’s resumption saw the 42-year-old make birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th en route to a 66.
-
PGA Tour
Daniel Gavins survives final-hole drama to win Ras Al Khaimah Championship
The Englishman held his nerve to hole for a double-bogey seven on the 18th and clinch a one-shot victory.
-
PGA Tour
Gareth Bale admits to nerves on debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am
The 33-year-old, who announced his retirement from football last month, is a two-handicapper.
-
PGA Tour
Jordan Spieth wants Pebble Beach to become one of PGA Tour’s elevated events
The PGA Tour’s top players have committed to playing against each other at least 20 times a year.
-
PGA Tour
G4D Open is ‘great news’ for golfers with disabilities – Brendan Lawlor
Up to 80 players will contest the inaugural event in May.
-
PGA Tour
It’s been a battle – Rory McIlroy delighted to pip rival Patrick Reed in Dubai
The Northern Irishman birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish a shot ahead of Reed on 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy holds off rival Patrick Reed with birdie on 18 to seal Dubai win
McIlroy birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy leads by three in bid to win his third Dubai Desert Classic title
England’s Callum Shinkwin and Dan Bradbury are McIlroy’s closest challengers heading into the final round.
-
LPGA Tour
Golf bid to increase diversity in sport improving but still has ‘long way to go’
Nicola Bennett is an ambassador for the Golf Foundation, helping to drive grassroots campaigns.
-
PGA Tour
Richard Bland boasts share of lead at halfway stage in Dubai Desert Classic
The 49-year-old returned to complete his second round on Saturday morning, carding three more birdies and a solitary bogey in his remaining 14 holes.