Daniel Summerhays has carded five birdies on the run home to claim a three-shot lead at the Sanderson Farms Championship, while Australia s Peter Lonard made a solid start. In a brilliant opening round, Summerhays posted a bogey-free nine-under 63 to storm to the top of the leaderboard at Annandale Golf Club in Madison, Mississippi, with Will Claxton, Michael Bradley and Jonathan Randolph tied for second at six under. Lonard was a shot further back in a tie for fifth alongside six Americans including Bill Lunde and DJ Trahan, while South Africa&aposs Rory Sabbatini was one of three players in a share of 12th at four under on a day that saw many players fail to finish their round because of inclement weather. Summerhays, who started on the back nine, carded an eagle on the par-five 18th to reach four under for the tournament before birdies on the first, third, fourth, fifth and seventh holes completed his round of 63. It was a great comeback for Summerhays, who threw away a lead in the final round of last week&aposs John Deere Classic in Illinois to finish a shot behind eventual winner Jordan Spieth. Eight of the top 11 players on Thursday started their rounds on the back nine with Bradley the only member of the top four to begin the tournament on the opening hole. The 47-year-old carded a single birdie on the front nine but an eagle two on the par-four 10th set Bradley up for a strong run home with birdies following on the 11th, 13th and 15th holes. Claxton could have taken second position outright but for a bogey on the eighth hole, his second of the day, while Randolph also finished poorly with three bogeys and two birdies in the final six holes. Randolph started the PGA Tour event brilliantly at the Annandale Golf Club, birdying the 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes. Of the other Australians competing, Nathan Green, Rod Pampling all started well to shoot 69, while Steven Bowditch (-3) and Nick O Hern (-2) failed to finish their opening round but are in touch.
Author: Omnisport