Taylor Pendrith of Canada fired a 10-under-par 61 to leap out to a sizeable lead after one round of the Shriners Children’s Open on Thursday in Las Vegas.
When play was suspended due to darkness at TPC Summerlin, a whopping 10 players were tied for second at 7-under 64. Eight players had yet to finish their rounds, including Joe Highsmith, who was 6 under through 17 holes and will have a 23-foot putt for eagle at his finishing hole, the par-5 ninth.
Pendrith tied his career-low 18-hole score Thursday by making five birdies on each nine. He started on the back nine and sank a 12 1/2-foot birdie putt at No. 11; after that, he did not need to make a putt longer than 10 feet, as his approaches were on point. Pendrith nearly holed out for eagle at the par-4 fourth, leaving himself a few inches for birdie.
“Got off to a good start,” Pendrith said. “Was able to get that groove with my driver and found a lot of fairways. From there, I had a lot of good numbers today. Feel like we had the same number a few times and I was able to hit some close wedges. Made a lot of putts inside 10 feet.”
Pendrith won his first PGA Tour title in May at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and competed in last month’s Presidents Cup for the International team.
“The confidence level is up for sure,” he said. “Was able to win last year, this year, and have some really solid finishes at some big events, and that gives you a lot of confidence.
“I would say my putting has improved the most. It’s the biggest improvement in my game from the last couple seasons. I’ve been able to roll in some nice putts. Just seeing them go in gives you more confidence.”
After finishing the summer inside the top 50, Pendrith is not vying for FedEx Cup Fall standings points to keep his tour card, but others have the future on their minds. The top 125 players at the end of the fall will retain full status on tour.
Joseph Bramlett (No. 146) and Bud Cauley (No. 156) are two of the 10 players tied at 64 and would greatly benefit from a boost in the standings with a strong showing this week.
Bramlett, who carded seven birdies without a bogey, said he was comfortable in the desert winds.
“We’re used to practicing and playing in this all the time,” he said. “It’s nothing different or special from a normal day at home would be like for us. So, yeah, I’m excited to get back out there (Friday) and get after it.”
Also tied at 64 were J.T. Poston, Mark Hubbard, Doug Ghim, Canadian Ben Silverman, Rico Hoey of the Philippines, Garrick Higgo of South Africa, England’s Harry Hall and Germany’s Matti Schmid.
Another 10 players were in the clubhouse with 6-under 65s. Rickie Fowler is not far behind after carding a 5-under 66. Tom Kim of South Korea, the tournament’s two-time defending champion, opened with a 2-under 69.
–Field Level Media