Ernie Els made an eagle, six birdies and three bogeys on Friday on his way to a five-under-par 66 in the first round of the PGA Tour Champions’ Cologuard Classic at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Arizona.
It was a mixed bag of a round for Els, but he was still in a share of second after all that action. He was two shots off the lead which was held at seven-under-par by Greg Chalmers of Australia after he opened with a 64. Chalmers led from Els, fellow-Australian Rod Pampling and Canadian Stephen Ames.
Els’ eagle came on the 16th, when he reached the green in two and made the putt on the par-five. His bogeys all came on par-fours when he missed the greens and was unable to get up and down for his par. He made birdie on three of the four par-threes.
Els leads the Charles Schwab Cup race at this early stage in the season, and he is projected to stay there as things stand after the first round.
Retief Goosen had a good start, carding a four-under-par 67 for a share of fifth. He made seven birdies, and had to overcome a late double-bogey sixth on the 13th after he bogeyed the 12th as well.
David Frost opened with a two-over-par 73 for a share of 57th.
