Jhonattan Vegas made six birdies and no bogeys on Thursday en route to a 6-under 64 to open a two-stroke lead after the first round at the Honda Classic.
INSIDE THE MARCH ISSUE: Frittelli talks to Compleat Golfer
American Lucas Glover bogeyed his finishing hole for a 66, leaving him tied with Zach Johnson Ben Silverman and South Africa’s Ernie Els.
The Big Easy enjoyed a fine day at PGA National, especially with the putter, where he did not miss a single effort inside 10 feet.
LONG READ: Oosthuizen reminds us all of his class
Els has won more than 70 tournaments worldwide, 19 of them on the PGA TOUR; the last of those coming in 2012 at the British Open. Getting a 20th on TOUR has been a goal for some time.
‘Secretly on TOUR among the players, you know when you win No 20 you get some benefits,’ Els said. ‘It’s late in my career, but I’ll take any win now.’
Countryman Charl Schwartzel was in the large group shooting 67s in the opening round. His day looked like it was going to be tough after an opening bogey, but the former Masters champion responded with five birdies to race to the top of the pile.
The infamous Bear Trap was played at one-over par after a run of bogey, birdie, bogey, but it was a good first effort as he matched Els’ record of no misses inside 10 feet.
Joining Schwartzel at -3 were the likes of Rory Sabbatini, Billy Horschel, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia, Anirban Lahiri, Brooks Koepka, and Bud Cauley.
Dylan Fritteli has some work to do after a double bogey at the 10th saw him finish two-over par.
