Keith Horne holed out for eagle on the eighth on Thursday to lead a South African assault on the top of the leaderboard in the first round of the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.
Together with his two birdies, and no dropped shots, the four-under-par 68 was good for second-place on his own for Horne. He was one stroke behind the leader, Cameron Percy of the United States. One stroke behind Horne, in a four-way share of third, were Ernie Els and Darren Fichardt.
Horne’s eagle came on his penultimate hole for the day and catapulted him right into contention. “I didn’t actually realize how much the eighth green sloped from back to front over there, and I hit it about 10 meters past the hole,” he said. “I had 109 yards, hit gap wedge, pitched it about eight, 10 yards past the hole, and it just spun back into the hole. I was begging for it to get close. I didn’t want any short birdie putts. Yeah, I was just chuffed when it went in.”
After he was unable to close the deal leading into the final round of the OFX Irish Legends he played last week, Horne had been hoping to simply ease himself into the tournament this week. “I was just trying to have a few quiet rounds to start off with, and I think the eagle on eight messed that up a little bit,” he said. “I just wanted to get into it.
“I think the relief of having a wetter and softer golf course out there today was big. I was very fortunate. I played a practice round on Monday and I was very scared to play the golf course. The greens were hard and fast, and to get out there today and to have them a little bit softer and slower, it was a huge help,” he added after players dealt with wet conditions on a rainy day.
Els was back at the course where he won the 1997 US Open, although Congressional has certainly changed since then. “Last week they called it a major, but it’s just a nice big Champions Tour event,” said Els of the Regions Tradition last week. “But this one has got more of that feel. It’s got a golf course with history, and it’s got some prestige here. So this one feels good. It feels big. It’s a good feeling to have on this course.
“I missed quite a few fairways on my front nine. I missed quite a few and didn’t quite capitalize on short irons. You need to be in the fairway. But I’m playing nice. I started getting my rhythm on the back and started hitting some nice shots. I’m looking forward to the weekend.”
Fichardt is playing in just his second senior event, and it’s a major. “About five years ago I told my wife I’m getting sick and tired of these youngsters hitting so far past me,” he said. “Now all of a sudden I get there on Monday, and everyone is calling me the big dog. Yeah, it feels weird, actually. I’m still trying to get used to it. Also all the par-fives are sort of gettable now, whereas on the regular tour, sometimes even the par-fours aren’t gettable.
“I hit the ball pretty well. Putter was also quite solid. I made the putts I needed to make. I think I only missed one fairway – well, two fairways. I missed on the last, as well. But I think it’s key to be on the fairway, give yourself a chance to be on the right place on the green.”
Retief Goosen added his name to the list of South Africans challenging, carding an opening one-under for a share of 24th.
Asked what made South Africans such formidable contenders, Fichardt said, “I don’t know. I think we always travel very far away from home, and we’re used to grinding and doing whatever we can do to play well and stuff. I don’t know, maybe it’s just all the meat we eat.”
Adilson Da Silva and James Kingston were clearly missing meat: Da Silva had a four-over 76 and Kingston signed for an eight-over 80.
