David Higgins leads the Titleist PGA Play-Offs after round one
David Higgins of the Republic of Ireland fired a five-under par 66, in the opening round of the Titleist PGA Play-Offs, to take a one-stroke lead, on Tuesday, December 11, 2012.
The defending champion Richard Wallis, in the meantime, carded a four-under par 67, to take the second position on the leaderboard.
The event is being played at the Antalya Golf Club's PGA Sultan Course, offering a coveted place in the BMW PGA Championship, to the winner of the tournament.
In addition to that, the top-three players to finish the tournament will also secure their berths in the Great Britain & Ireland team for next year’s PGA Cup.
Higgins got off to a slow start, as he birdied only one hole on the front nine of the course, to reach the turn in one-under.
Thereafter, he picked up pace and added another birdie to his scorecard on the 11th hole, prior to ending the round with three birdies in a row.
"I played solidly, didn't really miss many shots and putted nicely and if you do that you usually have a good score," said Higgins.
Recently, he participated in the 2012 Qualifying School Final Stage and secured his European Tour card after finishing tied for the 16th position.
He now appears to be moving on the right track, in a bid to earn more starts in The Race to Dubai’s most lucrative events.
"Getting my Tour card has taken a lot of pressure off,” he said. “It doesn't make this week easier as I'm trying my hardest to win, but having been through what I did at the Qualifying School the pressure here is not quite as intense”.
He added, "It would mean a lot to me to win the PGA Play-Offs. These are the best PGA players in Britain and Ireland and it would be a great achievement so I will be giving it everything I've got”.
He also expressed his pleasure in becoming the front-runner, right from the beginning of the tournament.
Last year, the Waterville Links man faced the defeat, as he finished second in the 2011 edition of the event.
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