On a day of low scoring at the Black Desert Resort in Utah on Thursday, Erik van Rooyen’s three-under-par was only good enough for a share of 42nd in the incomplete first round of the PGA Tour’s Black Desert Championship.
Van Rooyen made an eagle on his final hole, the ninth, as well as four birdies and three bogeys as he completed his first round eight shots off the lead. Canada’s Adam Svensson carded an 11-under 60 that was bogey-free and included an eagle on the seventh. He had a two-stroke lead over Sweden’s Henrik Norlander and American Matt McCarty.
Garrick Higgo, after having shown some signs of a recovery a couple of weeks ago, had another miserable start to a tournament which could be pivotal in his efforts to retain his PGA Tour playing privileges. He carded a seven-over-par 78 to be down in a share of 128th in the 132-man field.
