Padraig finds his form again around a very difficult course to shoot a level par 70 which leaves him in a tie for 7th place at the SAS Championship. He got off to a lovely start with a couple of birdies on the 6th and 7th holes, to be out in two under par. He added another on the par three 11th hole, before a disaster on the par four 13th hole put paid to a great day. A penalty shot off the tee, and three putts marred an otherwise impecable round to which he added another birdie on the par five 17th hole. All in all, a good recovery from Saturdays poor round. On to the playoffs!
Padraig struggled in the tough conditions to shot a four over par 76 and leave himself at level par and just inside the top 20. He now trails by eight shots going into Sundays final round. He was one over par playing the par three 8th hole where he took a double bogey five after a penalty drop. He did birdie the par four 9th to be out in two over par but three dropped shots in the space of seven holes left him with a mountain to climb, two three putts and another penalty shot caused the dropped shots. To his credit he did manage a final birdie on the par five 17th hole to round off a frustrating day.
Padraig leads after the opening round at the SAS Championship. His four under par total was good enough to lead with three others as he played a very steady game with just one dropped shot on the par four 15th hole. His drive found the jungle and he did well to make a five. Otherwise, he was a model of consistency, making five birdies in all. He tees off Saturday in the second round at 5.06pm GMT, with Robert Karlsson and Chad Campbell.
Padraig plays this week on the PGA Champions Tour at the ever popular, SAS Championship. It is being played at the Prestonwood Country Club, a par 72 layout which plays to 7,237 yards. It is the conclusion of the regular season and this is the 25th anniversary of the event. Jerry Kelly is your defending champion, On Sunday evening, the top 72 players in the Charles Schwab Cup standings will advance to the playoffs. Padraig currently holds 5th position. They begin next week at the Dominican Energy Charity Classic in Richmond.
Tee Times -> Sunday at 1.31pm with Angel Cabrera and Greg Chalmers.