Chris Stroud hits a shot on the 9th hole during the first round of the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina, yesterday.
GREENSBORO, United States/United States: England’s Ross Fisher shot a six-under-par 64 to share the lead after the opening round of the PGA Wyndham Championship yesterday, with defending champion Sergio Garcia one shot back.
Fisher, a member of Europe’s 2010 Ryder Cup winning team, is tied for the lead with American Chris Stroud.
“My manager said, ‘You’ve got nothing to lose. Just go out there all guns blazing and see what happens,’” Fisher said.
“I know what I’ve got to do, and I’ve just got to go enjoy it, and if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. ... I don’t want it to end here.”
Garcia began his title defence with a bogey-free round that included five birdies. The Spaniard is bidding to become the first repeat winner since Sam Snead in the 1950s.
He was joined in third place by former Masters champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa, Robert Garrigus, Australia’s Matt Jones, Andrew Svoboda, Morgan Hoffmann, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed.
Australia’s Stuart Appleby carded a four-under 66 for a share of 11th place with Charles Howell, Aussie John Senden, Bryce Molder and Chris Kirk.
Fisher is a rookie on the USPGA Tour but he has four victories on the European circuit. He was in the day’s final threesome to start on the back nine, and he made his climb late.
Garcia’s birdie putts came from five, 13, two, 14 and three feet. On the par-five 15th he two-putted from 49 feet.
“Obviously I made some good two putts from long range,” Garcia said. “I did hit the ball pretty nicely which was nice to see and holed a couple nice putts here and there.
“Overall, I’m very happy with the round and hoping to do more of the same tomorrow.”
The Wyndham Championship is the final event before the FedExCup play-offs start next week and players are battling to get into the top 125. AFP
