Australia's Steve Bowditch sits just a stroke off leader Trevor Immelman after the first round of the Greenbrier Classic in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Bowditch shot a 5-under-par round of 65 to be in a five-way share of second place behind South Africa's Immelman.
Former Masters champion Immelman has had very little to enjoy on the golf course over the last two years but all that changed in the opening round.
Immelman, who has struggled for fitness and consistency since having surgery on his left wrist in 2009, delivered a superb display of ball-striking on the way to a 6-under 64 at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.
Repeatedly peppering the flags with pinpoint approach shots, Immelman racked up seven birdies and one bogey to take the lead.
Immelman, who won his first major at the 2008 Masters, was delighted to regain form at The Greenbrier after months of struggle and four missed cuts in his last six PGA Tour starts.
"Obviously I'm excited with the 64 today," Immelman said.
"Any time you shoot a number like that it's exciting. That's why you put all the hard work in.
"It's been a frustrating couple of years not being able to swing the way I want to swing and practise the way I want to practise."
A medium-length hitter renowned for his ball-striking and course management, Immelman had wrist surgery in October of 2009 after suffering from tendonitis for much of that season.
He missed 10 of 19 cuts on the 2010 PGA Tour as he slowly worked his way back but was greatly encouraged by his all-round health coming into this year.
Meanwhile, Canada's David Hearn, Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge and Americans Chris Di Marco and Kyle Stanley opened with 66s, but fan favourite and world number six Phil Mickelson was frustrated after carding an erratic even-par 70.
Mickelson, a four-times major winner, offset five birdies with five bogeys in his round.
Reuters
Tags: golf, sport, united-states First posted July 29, 2011 14:37:14
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