Russell Henley nonetheless thinks a few poor end from two years in the past on the Wyndham Championship. He had no complaints about his begin Thursday, an 8-under 62 that gave him the lead within the closing match earlier than the PGA Tour’s postseason.
Henley hit his strategy to six ft for eagle on the par-5 fifteenth on his solution to a 30 on the again 9 at rain-softened Sedgefield Nation Membership. He led by one over Adam Svensson and Byeong Hun An, who birdied his final two holes.
Henley is at No. 34 within the FedEx Cup standings, whereas Svensson is No 37 and An No. 52. They’re assured a spot within the postseason, which is for the highest 70. They may very well be getting a head begin on the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Adam Scott does not have that luxurious, and that made his opening 65 worthwhile. He’s at No. 81 and desires a giant end to salvage his season. So does Justin Thomas at No. 78 — for the FedEx Cup and the Ryder Cup — and he might solely handle a 70.
Henley was helped by avoiding the sunshine however regular rain that fell a lot of the morning, the climate Scott, Thomas and different early starters needed to face. Henley missed solely two fairways and rode a sizzling putter, a very good recipe for this course.
Two years in the past, Henley had a three-shot lead going into the ultimate spherical and nonetheless had management on the again 9 when he made 4 bogeys over the past eight holes, together with the 18th to overlook out on a playoff by one shot. It nonetheless bothers him.
“I give it some thought loads,” Henley stated. “I used to be main by three going within the closing spherical a pair and was main the match by a number of going into No. 11 … and did not get it performed.”
The highest 70 who qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs is down from 125 gamers in recent times, a change introduced in the summertime of 2022. Scott does not like being on this place, however he understands find out how to repair it.
“I’ve had a variety of years having a go on the FedEx Cup playoffs, and all these form of issues come to an finish sooner or later,” Scott stated. “However for positive, I wish to win this match, and if I do this I can have a extremely good run proper via to East Lake, I imagine.”
A yr in the past, Scott parlayed a tie for fifth in two postseason occasions into a visit to East Lake.
Andrew Novak holed out from off the 18th inexperienced for birdie and a 64. The group at 66 included Thomas Detry and Ludvig Aberg of Sweden, the previous Texas Tech star who topped the record on the PGA Tour College rating to earn membership. As a result of he did not flip professional till June, Aberg is No. 146 and must win to advance.
Thomas had a spherical that matched the dreary day of sunshine however regular rain. He had two birdies, two bogeys and the remaining pars, a few of them worthwhile. However he wants a excessive end — 18th place at a mathematical minimal, although one thing round tenth is perhaps extra protected — to get into the highest 70. He presently is at No. 78.
Including to the significance is that Ryder Cup qualifying ends in three extra tournaments, after which six gamers are added as captain’s picks. With none extra tournaments, Zach Johnson may need a tricky time contemplating a participant who has gone 15 months and not using a win.
“I performed high quality. I did not actually do something effectively, I did not do something terribly,” Thomas stated. “After I awoke and checked out it this morning, did not suppose I used to be going to be enjoying 16 holes in rain. In order that’s a bummer, particularly within the place that I am in and the scores that I want. However who is aware of what’s going to occur the remainder of the day? I simply want I’d have taken benefit of a pair extra scoring golf equipment.”
Stephen Jaeger, at No. 64 within the standings, had a very good begin to shield his place. He opened with a 67, together with a big group that included Billy Horschel and Brendon Todd.
A lot of the gamers who do not attain the postseason can have the autumn to verify they keep among the many high 125 who’ve full playing cards for 2024.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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