August 24 2018: Even as the biggies jostled for space at the top of the leaderboard, Anirban Lahiri made a sedate start to his campaign in the first FedExCup playoff event. The Indian shot an even 71 in the first round, lying on the edge of the projected cut line at T62. Kevin Tway, Jamie Lovemark, Vaughn Taylor and Sean O’Hair assumed the first round lead with a 66 to their names. With thirteen other golfers perched on their tails, the second round could turn into an intriguing battle for a slender edge going into the weekend.
Among the crowded bunch of men tied in second are Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Hideki Matsuyama.
“I’m obviously very disappointed that I’m not in a better position, but I’m kind of in charge of my destiny,” O’Hair said. “If I play good golf I’m just going to work into the next week.”
Tiger Woods had an insipid day on the course even as he set the golf world on fire, finally confirming the worst kept secret about a money match against Phil Mickelson. Even as the nine million dollar tussle between the two took the golf world by storm, Woods lumbered around the Ridgewood Country Club with a cold bag of ice.
He made two birdies, but also conceded a pair of bogeys to stay rooted down the leaderboard. At the end of the day, he finished his round at 71, lying at T60 and needing a good effort on Friday to redeem himself.
“Just didn’t have the situations where I had the full club and I could go ahead and take a rip at it and start being aggressive and going after these flags,” Woods said. “I kept having to play a little defensive because I was taking more club, trying to shape it and take spin off. One of those days.”
Anirban will also need a much improved round when he tees off on Friday to not only secure his place for the weekend, but also to continue his stint in the FedExCup playoffs.
PGA TOUR Notes
Anirban Lahiri hit 12 of 18 greens in regulation during his first round at the NORTHERN TRUST, finishing at even for the tournament.
After a drive to the left side of the fairway on the 291-yard par-4 12th hole, Lahiri had a 85 yard approach shot, setting himself up for the birdie. This moved Lahiri to even for the round.
On his second stroke on the 626-yard par-5 13th, Lahiri went into the native area and proceeded to hit his next shot to the left greenside bunker. He hit his fourth at the green and had a two-putt to finish with a bogey. This moved Lahiri to 1 over for the round.
On the 412-yard par-4 14th hole, Lahiri reached the green in 2 and sunk a 18-foot putt for birdie. This moved Lahiri to even-par for the round.
After hitting his second shot into the native area, Lahiri hit his next shot to the green and got down for bogey on par-4 18th. This moved Lahiri to 1 over for the round.
After a tee shot at the green on the 190-yard par-3 second, Lahiri missed a birdie attempt from 9-feet taking a par. This left Lahiri to 1 over for the round.
After a drive to the right rough on the 588-yard par-5 third hole, Lahiri hit an approach shot from 101 yards to 5 feet, setting himself up for the birdie on the hole. This moved Lahiri to even for the round.
On the par-par-4 fourth, Lahiri’s 152 yard approach to 8 feet set himself up for the birdie on the hole. This moved Lahiri to 1 under for the round.
At the 475-yard par-4 eighth, Lahiri’s tee shot went 274 yards to the right rough, his second shot went 177 yards to the front center greenside bunker, and his sand shot went 27 yards to the green where he had a two-putt for a bogey. This moved Lahiri to even-par for the round.
At the 485-yard par-4 10th, Lahiri’s tee shot went 290 yards to the right rough, his second shot went 171 yards to the right greenside bunker, and his sand shot went 14 yards to the green where he had a two-putt for a bogey. This moved Lahiri to 1 over for the round.
