On March 18, Beijing time, the first round of the Walesberg Championship was very anxious, and four players led the way with a one-shot advantage of -7, including defending champion Sam Boones; Li Zhenming, Richie Vronsky and others who trailed one shot and tied for 5th place; JT played -5 in T9; DJ, Koepka, Louis Ushiren, Matt Kuchar, Zander Sheofier also competed at the top of the list, they handed -4 at T12; Baba Watson (-3), Colin Watson (-3), Colin W. Bush. Morikawa (-3) was T33; Pan Zhengchun hit a flat par at T90.
(Valspar Championship Round 1 Round Highlights)
Boones has the upper hand!
Boones has been very hot lately, coming to a tie-led position after the second round of the Players' Championship, but unfortunately he played average in the final round (76, +4) and finished in the T26. But he has won his second PGA Tour title at Sanderson Farm this season.
Currently, the 25-year-old American player is working to become the second player in the history of the tournament to defend his title.
(Boones First Round Scorecard)
Boones showed excellent touch as soon as he appeared, harvesting 4 birds and 1 bogey in the first nine. After the transfer, he went further and won three more birds in the next 4 holes.
As Boones was inching into the lead, he had a small episode on the par-16 four hole, and the second shot hit him in a bunker on the green, failing to push a three-yard Paula push.
Fortunately, Boones regained his strength in the last two holes, grabbed all the birds, and finally managed to lead the race.
"Frustration happens from time to time," Boones said. "The point is, how do you look at it, are you making that feeling carry over to the next shot?" Or fix it, forget about it, and move on? That's the most important thing. ”
(Boones First Round Individual - 7-Stroke Highlights)
He felt the same way about his battle to defend his title. He didn't get bogged down in last year's winning memories.
"Last year's events have nothing to do with this year," Boones said. "A lot of things are different. There's not much to do with the two... I will always remember that game, it was my first PGA Tour title. It's very tough to win here. ”
One of the leaders, Jonathan Vegas, played an exciting round when he was eliminated in the Players Tournament last week.
(Jonathan Vegas in the first round)
After starting from the back nine, he played steadily, harvesting 4 birds and 1 bogey, and after the transfer, the eagle ball on par 1 five brought him more motivation, and then also gained 2 birds.
2017 champion Hadwin hit 8 birds and 1 bogey, while David Lipsky caught 7 birds.
Lead the table
(JT First Round - 5 Individual Highlights)
JT played 1 bird and 1 bogey on the first nine holes and began to erupt after the transfer, first taking the opportunity to take a birdie on the par 11th hole, then successfully catching the Eagle on the next par five, that is, the 14th hole, and the next two holes, he caught birds in a row. On the 14th to 16th holes, he shot -4.
In the end, the -5 was in T9, trailing only two shots, putting itself in a favorable position to compete for the title.
According to PGA Tour projections, JT currently has a 14.7 percent chance of winning the title, the player with the most likely title wins besides Sam Boones (15 percent).
(DJ First Round Match - 4 Individual Highlights)
DJ's feel has been improving lately, and he finally finished with the T9 after scoring a 63-stroke in the players' championship final round. In the first round of the week, the DJ continued to be in excellent form, playing 5 birds and 1 bogey, with a group of big name players in T12.
Chinese Taipei player Pan Zhengchun played 4 birds, 1 double bogey and two bogeys, currently in T90, and according to official forecasts, the promotion line for the second round is -2 strokes.
South African player Char Schwartzer played mediocre in the first round, shooting a +5 in the T137. But his feat of shooting the eagle ball on the 16th hole like a "big dunk" brought fans and friends a wonderful visual enjoyment!
(Best goal in the first round: Char Schwartzer's 16th hole eagle shot)
The Golf Channel will broadcast this week's game for you, welcome to watch!