26 Feb 2021 | Professional golf |
Smith, Ormsby up close at Concession
by Martin Blake
Cameron Smith and Wade Ormsby shot four-under par 68s to put themselves in the mix at the World Golf Championship Workday Championship at Concession today.
European Tour regular Ormsby, 40, followed up a brilliant front-nine 32 with an even-par back nine to give himself a huge opportunity in Florida.
Smith had a piece of the lead for some time in his round but bogeyed his last hole, the ninth on the course, to drop back to tied-seventh, two shots from the lead held by Matthew Fitzpatrick of England and Webb Simpson of the United States.
Smith was disappointed that an errant drive late cost him, but was philosophical. “Yes, I mean, it was really good the first probably 12, 13 holes and then just got a little bit scrappy at the end. Nothing a few balls on the range can't fix.”
The Queenslander is familiar with the course, which is hosting its first big event. “I actually came down here a couple years ago to escape a hurricane,” he said later. “Just came down for two or three days, did some practise with a couple other lads and went home.”
Jason Day (71) was the only other Australian to break par on the opening day.
MEANWHILE veteran Greg Chalmers used an ace on the par-three eighth hole to vault into contention at the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open.
Chalmers is tied-second, a shot from the lead, after opening with a 66 that included “the best golf I have played in a long time”.
Remarkably it was not his only hole-out at the course; he did the same thing in the same event in 2010 at the 16th hole.
“Anyway, so I have had two hole-in-ones here now,” he said later. “And it's always kind of a shock at the time, but I'm really pleased with the round.”
Cameron Percy (67) also made a good start in the tour-sanctioned event that runs alongside the WGC event in Florida.
GABI Ruffels made a quiet start to her career as a professional with an opening 73 at the Gainsbridge LPGA tournament in Florida today.
Ruffels, 20, had one birdie and two bogeys and is eight shots from the lead held by New Zealander Lydia Ko.
The best of the Australians on day one was Sarah Kemp (70).