Jim Furyk (Phelps/Flickr)
JIM FURYK SHOT A 6-UNDER 65, his low round of the year, to take the lead after the first round of the Transitions Championship. Furyk’s 65 is his sixth consecutive round in the 60s dating back to the final round of the Northern Trust Open where he shot 68. Furyk posted four rounds in the 60s at last week’s WGC-CA Championship, finishing third.
Stephen Ames, the 2006 Players Championship winner, posted 5-under 66 thanks to six birdies and a lone bogey at the par-4 16th hole.
Woody Austin (69) was at 4-under-par through 15 holes but consecutive bogeys at holes 16 and 17, and a final-hole par, dropped the Tampa native to 2-under. Austin, a three-time Tour winner, has played the Transitions Championship every year, except 2008, with a best-finish of T30 in 2004.
Japanese teen sensation Ryo Ishikawa (69) scored his first round in the 60s on the PGA Tour after starting the day with consecutive birdies at holes 1 and 2.
The “Bashful Prince” may be feeling more confident in his second appearance on the PGA Tour. Ishikawa made his debut at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera.
“At Northern Trust I was very nervous,” said the 17-year-old. “At Transitions Championship, about half as nervous, so about same as when I play Japan Golf Tour events.”
−The Armchair Golfer
(Source: Rick Odioso/The Copperheads)