Snedeker fires rare 59 to seize lead
WASHINGTON — Brandt Snedeker became only the ninth golfer in US PGA Tour history to fire a 59 on Thursday, his 11-under effort putting him in the lead in the first round of the Wyndham Championship.
Snedeker rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt at his final hole, the par-4 ninth, to join one of golf's most exclusive clubs.
"To roll that putt in was such a cool feeling," said Snedeker, whose 10 birdies, six pars and one eagle virtually erased any memory of an opening bogey at the 10th hole.
"I got so excited, goosebumps ... jumping around like I won the golf tournament and it's Thursday morning," Snedeker said. "I'll have to get the emotions in check this afternoon, get back to reality."
Snedeker finished with a four-shot lead over Ryan Moore and John Oda at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.
He improved on his career best of 61 – which he has shot three times on tour – and came up one shot shy of Jim Furyk's record low of 58 for a single PGA Tour round, achieved at the 2016 Travelers Championship.
The 37-year-old American, whose most recent of eight PGA triumphs came in 2016 at Torrey Pines, made an inauspicious start when he went way left off the 10th tee beyond a cart path on his way to an opening bogey.
This is Araneta's second ring appearance after coming off a oneyear layoff due to shoulder injury.
"I have fully recovered from my injury and I am ready to continue my quest to become a world title challenger," said the 23-year-old Araneta, who scored a smashing second round knockout against Ian Ligutan in his comeback last April 3 in Bukidnon.
“My condition is great and I have no doubt that I would win the belt. He (Tomogdan) is a tough and experienced opponent but I will prevail either by knockout or decision," he added.
Tomogdan, for his part, said his vast experience will make a difference in their fight.
"He has power but I have experience. I will give him a hard time tomorrow," said Tomogdan, who once held the WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight title.
In the supporting bout of the slambang show presented by Championship Boxing Development in cooperation with Omega Pro Sports International, French prospect Jaber Zayani (14-0, 8KOs) will slug it out with Mindanao brawler Eduardo Mancito (16-8, 9KOs) for the vacant WBO Oriental super featherweight crown.
In a special attraction, Kawelo Alcos of Hawaii (1-0, 1KO) will trade leathers with Cebuano upstart Patrick Dakay.
The rest of the card featuresjourneyman Gerpaul Valero (22-21, 16KOs) vs Jobert Alvarez (17-2, 7KOs); Ponciano Rimandiman(7-4, 3KOs) vs Adrian Lerasan (61, 1KOs); Marjun Piencenaves (5-0, 4KOs) vs Jeffrey Stella (4-5, 4KOs); and Carlo Bacaro (1-0, 1KO) vs Mathew Fondales.