Aaron Rai shoots 67 for one-shot lead in Myrtle Beach debut
(*67*)
MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Aaron Rai he dealt with the harder pins and made 4 birdies on his inward 9 Friday for a 4-under 67, giving him a one-shot lead over Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker and Mark Hubbard in the Myrtle Beach Classic.
Rai thought the Dunes Golf & Beach Club appeared nice on tv when he watched Chris Gotterup win it two years in the past, and I figured it might be a very good place to play forward of the PGA Championship subsequent week.
I’ve spent two days with Brooks Koepkawho shot 70 and was six pictures behind, and has discovered the course to be to his liking.
“It’s been a lovely environment to play in actually the first two days,” Rai stated. “I think being in a group with Brooks Koepka, Davis Thompsonwho are both very good players…obviously Brooks is one of the best players in the world. So it’s created a great atmosphere to play in.”
Rai, who has one PGA Tour victory, was at 10-under 132.
Snedeker, who will lead the Americans at Medinah in September, performed bogey-free in a reasonable breeze to publish a 66. Hubbard shot 67 by overcoming some early errors to run off 4 straight birdies across the flip.
Koepka was making an attempt to maintain up with Rai till he went from the timber right into a water hazard on the par-5 fifth gap and made bogey.
Myrtle Beach is an opposite-field occasion, however the winner nonetheless will get into the PGA Championship subsequent week if he isn’t already eligible. Rai obtained a particular invitation based mostly on his world rating. He is at No. 42 in the world, the one participant from the highest 50 at Myrtle Beach.
That means nothing to him as he tries to win for the second time in three years.
“No matter what anybody’s world rating is, whether or not you’re Scottie SchefflerNo. 1, or just a little decrease down, there isn’t any divine proper in golf,” Rai stated. “Everyone starts at the same playing field on Thursday, and everyone who is in this field is good enough to win. No one has any rights to walk in and play well and compete.”
The reduce was at even par, and 9 gamers who missed the weekend are in the PGA Championship subsequent week at Aronimink.
The PGA Championship usually reserves a spot for the Ryder Cup captain, not the Presidents Cup captain, so Snedeker nonetheless has that carrot in entrance of him. And it helps that Myrtle Beach will not be a course that favors the ability gamers, particularly for the 45-year-old Snedeker.
“This golf course sets up for me, so excited to be here with a chance on the weekend,” Snedeker stated. “This is what you work for, so kind of turn the brain off tomorrow and go have some fun.”
Hubbard described the final two days as unusual, and his scorecard would definitely bear that out. He has but to make a birdie on any of the par 5s, however he has six birdies on the par 3s.
“Just been a weird week,” he stated. “Overall I think more than anything I’ve been really happy with just how I’ve played and carried myself. My attitude has been better this week. Just playing a little more freely than I have been for the past couple months. That’s what eventually paid off.”