Norwegian Duo Hovland, Ventura Grab Share Of Lead In PGA Tour Team Event
Umer Jamshaid Published April 23, 2021 | 09:20 AM
Los Angeles, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Apr, 2021 ) :Viktor Hovland and Kris Ventura, who played together as juniors in Norway and as college teammates, grabbed a share of the first-round lead Thursday in the US PGA Tour's Zurich Classic team event.
The duo -- who estimate they've played hundreds of rounds together dating back to their amateur days -- birdied nine of their final 12 holes in the four-ball first round at TPC Louisiana near New Orleans, posting a 10-under par 62.
Late starters Brice Garnett and Scott Stallings of the United States tied them for the lead, with seven teams sharing third, a stroke back on 63.
"The mindset overall is just that we know each other pretty well and we're comfortable around each other, so it was going to be a fun day no matter what," Hovland said.
"Obviously we played well today, but it's always fun to play together, and we don't get to do that very often in a tournament especially. It definitely brings back some memories to national teams in Norway and college golf, for sure." Hovland and Ventura had just one birdie in their first six holes, but then the birdies started falling.
"Kris decided to heat up his putter," Hovland said. "That really helped." Ventura drained birdie putts of 36 feet and 20 feet at the 15th and 16th and Hovland capped their day with an eight-foot birdie at the last.
"We basically had two birdie chances on every single hole," said Hovland, a two-time US PGA Tour winner. "We just played really solid golf." Garnett and Stallings birdied eight of their last 11 holes to seize their share of the lead.
After teeing off on 10 and making the turn at four-under, Garnett stuck it close at the second, fourth, and fifth holes and made all of his birdie putts. Stallings drained an 18-footer at their penultimate hole, the eighth, to tie Hovland and Ventura.
"We had a tale of two nines," Stallings said. "It was nice we didn't birdie the same hole ever, and that's what you have to do. We did a great job of that today." The teams tied at nine-under included two-time tournament winner Billy Horschel, playing with Louisiana native Sam Burns.
Australian Cameron Smith, who won the tournament in 2017 in its first incarnation as a team event, drained a 38-foot eagle putt at the par-five second to help him and fellow Aussie Mark Leishman get to 63.
"I'll probably buy dinner tonight after that exhibition he put on," Leishman said. "He's definitely owed that."Defending champions Ryan Palmer and Jon Rahm of Spain combined for a 65, leaving themselves some catching up to do in Friday's second round, which will be played in a foursomes format.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
4 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
5 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
7 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
15 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
17 days ago