USA's James Driscoll the front runner in the Puerto Rico Open – PGA Tour Update
The first round of the Professional Golfer’s Association Tour event the Puerto Rico Open is being played at the par-72, Trump International golf course came to a conclusion yesterday. It was the inexperienced American James Driscoll who turned out to be
the front runner and carded a superb round of nine-under par, 63 to lead after the first round.
Driscoll started off his round from the back-nine and was looking in great shape with his crisp iron shots. He is does not have much experience on his shoulders and has been playing on the Nationwide Tour. The 33-year-old had an eagle, nine birdies and only
two bogeys marked on his card. His hot putter favoured him throughout the first day, as his card clearly depicts. It was the par-5, 5th where his second shot landed just inside ten feet to make an eagle.
After the first fifteen holes, Driscoll had a chance of breaking the course record of twelve-under par, 60. It would have been a dream for the leader if his name was posted for the course record, but he had two drop shots on his final three finishing holes.
He was overwhelmed with his round and was a little disappointed to see two blemishes on his scorecard.
Smiling James was more than satisfied with his round and said, "I was 11 under with three to play, so I mean anything could have happened. If I birdied all three holes or two of them, I could have shot in the 50s, but they were tough holes. The 7th
is a long par-4 where my approach shot missed the green.”
Will McKenzie of the USA is placed at the second spot and has a deficit of just two strokes over the leader. He also carded a fantastic round of seven-under par, 65 and was more than happy from the way he played. McKenzie had seven birdies marked on his
card and had a bogey-free round. The 32-year-old was looking in exquisite touch as nothing bothered him during play, as his card clearly shows his class on the course as everything was going right for him.
There is a three way tie for the third spot. Experienced campaigner of Argentina Angel Cabrera, Omar Uresti and Brendan Steele all had a similar score of six-under par, 66. They trail by just three strokes over the leader. All the three players had a bogey-free
round and looked in fine shape.
As for Cabrera, it was a great comeback score as he was out of touch since he last won the Masters two years back. Cabrera had seven birdies on his card and there was no drop shot during his round. The Argentinean was more than happy with his under-par round
and to be among the leaders.
Stewart Cink who is the highest ranked player in the tournament carded a round of three-under par, 69 and is placed tied at the 20th spot. He had four birdies and a lone bogey on his card.
Misery continued for the Canadian Mike Weir, as he had a wrist injury just before the start of the day and had to withdraw from the championship along with Boo Weekley of the USA. They both were disappointed with their injuries.
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