Dean Burmester started like a house on fire on Thursday in the first round of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in Newburgh, Indiana, but four bogeys slowed him down as he carded a three-under-par 69 to finish the day in a share of 26th.
Burmester, who has already locked up his PGA Tour card for the new season, started his round on the 10th hole of Victoria National Golf Club, and he made six birdies in the first eight holes. But then he made bogey on the 18th ahead of the turn, and that seemed to rattle him. He bogeyed one, six and eight, without picking up a shot during that stretch. He was able to close out positively, however, with a birdie on the final hole of his round, the ninth.
The bogey on 18 came as he had to take a penalty drop after his tee shot on the par-four hole, and, although he was on the green in three, he two-putted for the dropped shot. He uncharacteristically three-putted the first, had two shots to hack out of rough on the par-four sixth, and was wayward with his tee shot on the par-four eighth on a good driving day.
For the rest, he was mainly accurate off the tee, and, but for those bogeys, hit greens regularly in regulation. His putting was good, and he took 29 putts for his round.
A strong finish in the tournament will help determine how high he is ranked in the eligibility categories for PGA Tour events next season.
Dawie van der Walt was one stroke behind Burmester on two-under after the first round, and in a share of 42nd as he seeks to regain his PGA Tour playing rights.
MJ Daffue has already booked his place on the PGA Tour with a fine full season on the Korn Ferry Tour. He battled to a five-over 77 in the first round.
