In the challenging final three holes at Quail Hollow, known as the “Green Mile,” Tommy Fleetwood completed a round of 65 without making a bogey. On the DP World Tour, Fleetwood has won six events, but he has won none on the PGA TOUR.
“I simply need to keep going and wait for those significant outcomes in order to maybe start competing once more at the top of the scoreboard. From there, we’ll see what can be achieved.” Fleetwood said.
Xander Schauffele, Kevin Streelman, Taylor Moore, K.H. Lee, and Ryan Palmer, who are tied for second after opening rounds of 66, were one stroke worse than Fleetwood, who shot a 6-under 65.
After quickly getting to 7 under after 15 holes, Schauffele seemed prepared to seize early control of the competition. However, he bogeyed two of the final three holes, giving up the lead.
“I was really winning there. For a while, the ball was on a string, and I performed everything perfectly. It’s a championship-style golf course, so I played pretty well for the first 15 holes before having a minor hitch as I approached the green.” Schauffele said.
Patrick Cantlay shot a 67 while having Joe LaCava, a former caddie for Tiger Woods, on his bag. Cantlay and LaCava, who was on the bag for 12 of Woods’ tournament victories, including the 2019 Masters, seemed to get along well.
Cantlay, who hasn’t used a yardage book since turning pro, put his immediate trust in LaCava, who assisted him in reading a challenging uphill birdie putt on hole no. 8.
LaCava, who comes highly recommended by Fred Couples, had previously collaborated with Cantlay at The Genesis Invitational in 2021 when Woods was injured.
“He’s just an awesome guy. I put a lot of trust in Fred because we are close friends. Over the years, we’ve grown pretty close, so when he says something like that, I know he really means it.” Cantlay said.
Rory McIlroy, the third-ranked golfer in the world, played a 3-under 68 on Thursday at the Wells Fargo Championship, his first competition since failing to make the cut at the Masters.
The Northern Irishman said earlier in the week that he had not picked up his clubs for more than two weeks. He also claimed that golf had taken over his life and that he needed a “reset” to regain some perspective.
It’s not surprising that McIlroy is having success at Quail Hollow because the course suits his style of play. In 11 events, he has three Wells Fargo Championship victories and nine top-10 finishes.
It’s also where he won on the PGA TOUR for the first time in 2010 and where, in 2015, he dominated by seven strokes and established a tournament scoring record by shooting 21 under 267.
He repeated his victory in 2021, becoming the only three-time winner of the competition.
Max Homa, the two-time winner, and defending champion shot 70.
Tony Finau, who keeps getting better, rallied to shoot 71 after birdieing two of his final three holes, last week. He has now won four of the last 18 tournaments he has played in including the Mexico Open at Vidanta last week.
