Four-way tie in Florida
There is a four-way tie at the top of the leader-board after the first round at the Valspar Championships in Florida.
American’s Matt Every and Pat Perez, as well as Australia’s Greg Chalmers and Danny Lee of New Zealand all carded three under par 68’s in the tough conditions at the Innisbrook course.
It was especially cold for the morning tee-off times, with a burly wind making it around 9 degrees outside.
“I would have been satisfied with 2 over today,” said Every, the only leader to tee-off in the morning.
“It was tough. This morning you couldn’t feel your hands. The wind was brutal.”
Every’s round was aided with a trio of birdies on his last four holes to put him amongst the leaders on a day where only 25 players managed to break par. While he is happy to have a share of the lead, Every admits the first round doesn’t count for much.
“I’ve played enough to know the first round doesn’t matter that much. This place is just going to be about not making doubles and taking yourself out of the tournament.”
Lee was in the last group at Innisbrook and the US Amateur champion was the only player to reach four under after his birdie on the par five first.
Unfortunately, he dropped a shot on the sixth. Lee missed every cut this year, but broke the duck last week at the Puerto Rico Open.
“I gained a lot of confidence after last week playing with the finish in Puerto Rico,” said the New Zealander.
“It really helped me a lot with that confidence stuff, and I’m hitting it really well right now. My ball striking is the best it’s ever been, especially with the putting. I got the new claw grip – still working great, which is fantastic.”
Meanwhile, back on two under is a group of seven golfers, while world number seven Justin Rose, the highest ranked golfer at Innisbrook, carded one-under 70, along with American sensation Jordan Speith and England’s Luke Donald.
“This course isn’t easy in good conditions,” said Donald, who won the event in 2012.
“The wind was really affecting some of the shots pretty hard. It was a good battle out there today.”
Latest
-
NewsBilly Horschel accuses LIV Golf players of being ‘hypocrites and liars’
Horschel made an impassioned defence of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour ahead of the co-sanctioned Genesis Scottish Open.
-
European TourIan Poulter among three LIV Golf Series players to get Scottish Open reprieve
Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding have had their suspensions temporarily stayed.
-
NewsGraeme McDowell shocked by people wishing him dead since switching to LIV Golf
The 2010 US Open champion acknowledged his switch to LIV was “about the money”.
-
PGA TourJT Poston completes wire-to-wire victory at John Deere Classic
England’s Callum Tarren bogeyed two of his last four holes en route to a one-under 70 as he was forced to settle for equal-sixth place.
-
European TourAdrian Meronk makes history for Poland as David Law celebrates Open berth
Meronk’s flying finish made him his country’s first winner on the DP World Tour.
-
NewsPaul Casey becomes latest player to join LIV Golf series
He opted out of the inaugural Saudi International on the European Tour in 2019 citing concerns over the country’s human rights record.
-
European TourAdrian Meronk has the edge as he aims to make Tour history for Poland
A third round of 68 at Mount Juliet means a one-shot advantage on a crowded leaderboard.
-
European TourShane Lowry birdies last four holes to make Irish Open cut
Jorge Campillo tops the leaderboard at the midway point.
-
European TourKeith Pelley hits back at 16 players threatening DP World Tour with legal action
Pelley says the sanctions against players who competed in the first LIV Golf event are ‘proportionate’ and ‘fair’.
-
PGA TourJT Poston takes two-shot lead at John Deere Classic
The 29-year-old also became the first player on record to open consecutive Tour events with 62 or better.