Hearn two shots off the lead at McGladrey Classic
Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:25:01
by Golf Canada
David Hearn finds himself two shots off the lead after the opening round Thursday of the McGladery Classic.
The Brantford, Ont., golfer posted a bogey-free round of 65 to find himself tied with nine other golfers at 5-under par.
Webb Simpson matched his best score of the year in the opening round at Sea Island, making eight birdies for a 7-under 63 that gave him a share of the lead with tour rookie Zack Miller.
Simpson, who has won twice in his last five tournaments, is US$68,971 behind Luke Donald on the money list entering this event. Simpson needs to finish at least in 15th place alone to surpass Donald, who isn't playing this week. He has until 5 p.m. Friday to decide whether to play Disney next week in the final event of the PGA Tour season.
"There's no way I can play this golf tournament without thinking about the money title," Simpson said. "I'm thinking about it every day. But I'm not over every shot thinking, 'This is for the money title.' It's more that I'm just trying my best to get focused on winning the golf tournament."
Simpson isn't alone in having money on his mind this week.
Miller is trying not to think about it. He hasn't made a cut since the Viking Classic in July and has fallen to No. 146 on the money list. If he doesn't get into the top 150, he'll have to return to the second stage of Q-school.
Martin Piller was tied for the lead until a bogey on the last hole put him in a large group at 64. That included Scott McCarron, who is No. 163 on the money list and birdied his last three holes. McCarron, like so many others in the Fall Series events, is trying to get inside the top 125 to secure his full PGA Tour card for next year.
Calgary's Stephen Ames, who missed the cut last week, had five birdies and a bogey for a round of 66.
