Saturday March 16, 2013
Rookie Stefani grabs first round lead in Tampa
TAMPA (Florida): PGA Tour rookie Shawn Stefani fired six birdies in a flawless 65 to seize a two-shot lead after the opening round of the US$5.5mil Tampa Bay Championship on Thursday.
The 31-year-old American is coming off a season-best tie for 39th at the Puerto Rico Open last week.
“I wasn’t really starting the day with a lot expectations,” said Stefani after notching six birdies, noting that he just wanted “to go out and have fun and hit some good shots”.
Brian Harman posted a bogey on his final hole and is alone in second at four-under 67 on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.
Harris English shot a three-under 68 and is tied in third with two other Americans, Tag Ridings and Brendan Steele. English had been on course for second spot on the leaderboard before a double bogey on his last hole.
Two-time champion K.J. Choi, of South Korea, and Fiji’s 2004 winner Vijay Singh both carded two-under 69s. They are in a group of eight alongside Australian Geoff Ogilvy, Peter Tomasulo, Dicky Pride, Lucas Glover, Chez Reavie and Roberto Castro.
Stefani began his round on the back nine and started quickly with back to back birdies. On the opening hole he managed to stick his second shot inside two feet. He made it two birdies in a row at No. 11 by chipping his third shot to four feet.
He missed the green at the par-five 14th but chipped to two feet to post his third birdie. Stefani tacked on three more birdies on the first five holes of the front nine before parring his final four holes.
Harman, who also started on the back nine, charged up the leaderboard with three-straight birdies beginning at the par-five fifth.
“I stayed real patient today,” Harman said. “Never pushed when I really wanted to.
“I drove it well and stayed in play. When I hit it out of play, I just hit it up there in front and tried to make par.” — AFP
- Former world junior champ Zulfadli in main draw
- FedEx eyes record win at Wimbledon
- V Shem-Khim Wah face tough opener in Singapore Open
- Brazilian Massa looking ahead to team’s revival
- NBA: Heat beat Spurs to force game seven
- Revington says he will decide on future after the World League
- Iain steels himself for a good show at Seri Selangor
- MHC: No action against Dharma and Lim
- Direct flight now to Naypyitaw for Malaysian SEA Games squad
- It’s on with the job as players glad it is all over
- Nadal seeded a dangerous fifth for Wimbledon
- Forgotten man Bastl revelling in 'new career'
- Indian GP organisers dismiss race rumours
- Contador has solid support but no Dane in Saxo Tour team
- Murofushi ban due to "overzealous" Japan officials - CAS
- Nadal seeded five at Wimbledon
- South Africa give De Villiers deadline to prove fitness
- Andy Schleck to lead RadioShack-Leopard on the Tour
- Nadal seeded fifth at Wimbledon
- Olazabal wins Spain's most prestigious sports award
RSS
