Three Ryder Cup stars chase the man controversially ignored for a captain’s pick on day when Ernie Els shone at Wentworth, a course where he has a rich history, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
If the Rolex Series needed a blockbuster start to prove it’s place on the world golf stage – such has been the money-pulling hype of its ‘cross pond’ rival – then it received that and then some on Thursday at the BMW PGA Championship.
Matt Wallace leads after a sublime 65 – although you could select one of a dozen adjectives to describe his scintillating play which included a birdie to start and was punctuated by an eagle three at the fourth which sparked birdies at his next two holes.
The Englishman, who won three times before being overlooked by Thomas Bjorn’s European team, leads by one from Jon Rahm and Henrik Stenson.
England’s Justin Rose birdied four of his last eight holes to sit two back.
The trio all played key roles in helping Europe dismantle the Americans at Le Golf National.
Sitting in the group of seven players shooting 68 on day one was Paul Casey, who was left to rue a double at the closing hole. A pair of South Africans made their way into this bunch with Christiaan Bezuidenhout, winner in Spain earlier in the year, joining veteran Ernie Els.
The Big Easy, who won as many as seven World Match titles and who had a hand in the recent redesign and restoration of the famed English course, made seven birdies as he more than made up for his three drops.
George Coetzee joined Bezuidenhout and Els during late play as he capitalised on a fast start that included gains at 2, 4 and 5.
Back in a share of 26th were Justin Walters and Erik van Rooyen. The duo matched the scores of home heroes Tommy Fleetwood and ‘Beef’ Johnston as well as Americans Tony Finau and Patrick Reed.
Branden Grace and Brandon Stone have their work cut out as they opened with matching 72s.
The big loser on Thursday? The aspirations of Rory McIlroy and his bid to return to the World No 1 as he tanked with an opening 76. A score that looked almost impossible after his eagle at the fourth and the birdie that immediately followed.
Photo: James Wilson/MB Media/Getty Images
