Stanley calls the shots in Atlanta
Atlanta, Sept. 22: Kyle Stanley got off to a hot start and outshone the big guns to lead after the opening round of the Tour Championship Thursday but Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are poised to strike.
Stanley shot a six-underpar 64 to take the firstround lead at East Lake Golf Club and put himself in contention to win the PGA Tour’s four tournament playoff series.
American Stanley holds a two-shot lead over four players who shot 66, comprising US Open champion Brooks Koepka, Webb Simpson, England’s Paul Casey and Daniel Berger.
World number two Spieth and PGA champion Thomas are tied for sixth with 67s along with Spain’s Jon Rahm, Russell Henley Woodland.
Dustin Johnson, Jason Dufner, Tony Finau, Kevin Kisner, Pat Perez and Justin Rose were tied for 11th at 68.
Stanley is playing in the Tour Championship for the first time and was seeded No. 22 in the 30man field. He charged out of the gate with four straight birdies starting and Gary at no.3 and made the turn in 32.
He had three birdies on the back nine for another 32. His only mishap came on the eighth hole where he posted a bogey.
“Today it was nice to get off to a pretty fast start, making four birdies in a row, and was able to make a few on the back nine,” Stanley said.
For Stanley to win the FedEx Cup playoffs and the $10 million bonus, he must win the Tour Championship and have many other dominos fall into place. There’s no guesswork involved with Spieth, the no.1 seed. If he wins the tournament, he wins the FedEx Cup, something he did in 2015. He would join Tiger Woods as the only twotime winner. — AFP