European Tour champions Paul Casey of England and South African Ernie Els both shot opening rounds of 65 to lie two strokes off the pace at the Wyndham Championship on the US PGA Tour.
The duo dropped just one shot apiece – at Sedgefield Country Club’s testing 18th hole – en route to finishing on five under par, two shots shy of the leading American pair, Tommy Gainey and Jeff Quinney.
Despite his impressive display, which included an eagle at the fifth hole, Casey was determined not to get carried away.
He said: “For me, it’s about focusing on the present, and I did a very good job of that today. I really went out there and felt very relaxed. I’m just going to enjoy it and try to put myself in a position to win.”
Els, who is bidding to collect the 67th title of a glittering professional career, was delighted to bounce back to form after missing the cut at last week’s US PGA Championship.
“I had a bit of a tough time in Atlanta,” he said. “I really enjoyed the course last week, but it was a bit of a beast compared to this old lady. It was nice to have greens that are receptive and be able to hit some three woods to keep the ball in play, and play the game instead of just trying to survive. You can attack this golf course, so it was nice a change.”
Els hit 11 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens in regulation, and the three-time Major Champion is also starting to feel more at ease with his belly putter.
He said: “On Friday last week I really found something in my set-up, and now I feel a lot more comfortable because I can keep the putter lower through the ball, which I’ve had difficulty doing. Now my stance is better. I made some nice putts today, and I feel more comfortable on the greens.”
