Golf Update: Todd Demsey leads opening round at Chattanooga Classic
Todd Demsey scored a 10-under par 62 to secure lead in the first round of Chattanooga Classic at the Black Creek Club in Tennessee. Demsey really dominated the course when he carded a pair of eagles and hence made his way to the top of the leader board.
The Chattanooga Classic is part of the Nationwide Tour and has a purse of $500,000.
Todd posted an 8-under 64 in the opening round here last year but couldn’t continue his good game and hence tied for 25th. The leader of the first round said that he is fond of Seth Ranor’s designs and with the Black Creek being a replica-type
course; he really enjoys playing on it. Todd only missed two fairways and three greens during the game.
"Every bounce that could have gone one way or the other went the right way, which is nice because they've been going the other way," Demsey said.
Todd claimed that he felt really good as he shot a 20-foot birdie putt in the 12th hole and then followed that with a 35 footer eagle for the next hole. Amazing swings like these are bound to hoist one’s confidence.
Former college mate of Phil Mickelson, Demsey was lucky enough to even have made it to the Chattanooga Classic. Poor Todd was buried 20 deep on the alternate list previous week but slowly moved up as people pulled out. Todd, who has only made six of the
13 cuts this year, is on number 165 on the money list. This is a pretty tight situation since there are only a couple of events remaining on schedule. To retain their tour playing status in 2011, the players need to be in the top 125.
Todd did agree that it’s been a tough year but said that he hadn’t played that bad. Trying not to elevate or degrade himself, he said that even though he hasn’t in many tournaments, he is happy that he is in the contention this week.
"I don't know what it is, I just feel really comfortable,” said Demsey. Looking at the way he played, its good thing Todd found his comfortable zone. Maybe this course just works for Tom since he also did well when he posted a 9-under-63 in 2004.
Currently, Todd is two strokes ahead of Joe Affrunti, Ted Potter Jr. and William McGirt. David Brandshaw, Luke List, Brad Adamonis and Jeff Klauk who went to high school near Chattanooga, are all tied in fifth place after posting 6-under 66s. Michael Thompson,
who is runner-up at the 2007 U.S. Amateur, and Gary Woodland are also at 6-under.
William McGirt, the newbie from South Carolina, also felt ‘comfortable’ this week. He won the Southern Conference Individual title for Wofford College at a nearby Chattanooga Golf and Country Club in 2001. Williams said anytime one goes to a place where
he has won, it’s just feels good to play on that course. The 31-year old made one bogey after three-putting and another when he missed a green. Minus the bogeys, his day went pretty smooth with ten birdies. William is on No.29 on the money list and has been
playing for the seventh consecutive week now.
William said with only four weeks left in the season including this week, he is psychologically and bodily very tired. He says that even though he wants to rest, he feels like he should play. Wise McGirt said that after November, he will get ample time to
rest.
Currently, Arjun Atwal owns the Black Creek Club course record with a 12-under 60, that he scored in the second round in 2008.Looking a the comfort level experienced by Demsey, it appears as if he might be on his way to set a new record. As for the Chattanooga
Classic, the second round will start tomorrow and only then, it will be clear if a new record is made. The players tee off tomorrow morning and will thus continue the Classic.
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