Doug Barron and New Zealand's Steven Alker are tied for the first-round lead on the Mitsubishi Electrical Traditional after capturing 7-under 65s on Friday in Duluth, Ga.
Barron and Alker birdied their approach by way of TPC Sugarloaf however have only a one-stroke lead over Shane Bertsch and Tim Petrovic, every of whom turned in bogey-free 66s.
Barron was bogey-free, as effectively, till making his solely misstep on the par-4 17th. He received the stroke again on the par-5 18th together with his eighth birdie.
“You see the scores, folks don't understand it is a arduous golf course. It calls for rather a lot off the tee,” Barron mentioned. “And I'm driving it very well, so fairly proud of that.”
The 54-year-old, who final gained on the PGA Tour Champions in 2020, is making his fifth begin since lacking most of a yr as a result of two elbow surgical procedures.
“I dwell with the ache. The docs inform me I can't harm it any worse,” Barron mentioned. “It's nonetheless torn. They did extra of a noninvasive process. However it is vitally sore. I’ve to rehab it each single day.”
Alker, 52, gained the 2022 Charles Schwab Cup, ended his 2023 season with a event win and kicked off 2024 with a win in Hawaii. However this week marks his first time at TPC Sugarloaf.
“The course is in nice form,” Alker mentioned. “Good strong par 4s on the market. You've received to have your wits about you on a variety of holes.”
Alker began on the again 9 and birdied 5 of his first six holes. He completed with two bogeys, however they had been simply counteracted by his 9 birdies.
Tied for fifth at 5-under 67 are Englishman Paul Broadhurst and Australians Richard Inexperienced and John Senden. Broadhurst gained final week's Invited Movie star Traditional.
Defending champion Stephen Ames of Canada opened with a 1-under 71.
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