Blistering Redman in 3-way lead
DETROIT: Doc Redman was red-hot at Detroit Golf Club again, firing seven of his eight birdies on the back nine on Thursday to grab a share of the first-round lead in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Redman, 22, was a surprise runner-up in Detroit last year after coming through Monday tournament qualifying.
After a bogey at the 10th put him even for the day in the wake of a lone front-nine birdie, Redman caught fire with seven birdies the rest of the way for a seven-under-par 65.
“I’ve come off two good finishes and a really good finish last year at this event, which has never really happened to me,” Redman said of his comfort level on the course.
“I think I feel very comfortable because I’ve played well here and been here. So it just comes down to playing golf and doing the best I can.”
He was tied for the lead with fellow Americans Scott Stallings and Kevin Kisner. Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo and American Bryson DeChambeau were part of a group of seven golfers, who finished on 66.
Five-time PGA Tour winner Rickie Fowler, of the US, and Canadian Adam Hadwin were among a large group of 14 who are two shots off the pace.
Redman kickstarted his round with a birdie putt of less than three feet at the par-three 11th. After draining a 15-footer at 12 he tapped in for birdie at 13, needed just a four-footer for birdie at 15 and rolled in an 11-footer at 16.
After another tap-in at 17, he capped his round with a downhill 15-footer at the last.