Now that Matt Wolff seemingly had his head together and realizes he’s a multi-millionaire at age 22, playing a game for a living, he let it all hang out Thursday down in Mexico and mauled El Cameleon Golf Club with an opening round 61 at the World Wide Technology Championship.
Wolff’s was the second assault on the birdie-friendly resort course — just before him, last year’s runner-up — Aaron Wise, was seven-under for his first nine holes then eight-under with eight to play, needing only three birdies coming home for 59. But Wise cooled off quickly and played his final eight in even par. Still he posted 63 and was the guy closest to Wolff.
Wolff’s game has been on the rebound. After a T17 at Sanderson Farms, he shot 20-under at the Shriners and finished solo second behind winner Sungjae Im.
After his strong round, Wolff was a bit cautious about being all the way back, but he did sound confident.
“I don’t want to say that,” Wolff responded to the notion that’s he’s back in full form. “Just making sure I’m comfortable in my setup,” Wolff said. “To me, I feel like when I am comfortable, that’s when I make the best swings. Everything kind of clicked today.
“I’m really confident in my game right now, and I’ve proven over time when stuff goes well and I am confident, I can kind of carry it over,” he said. “So right now, my swing feels really good, my head’s in a good spot, and I’m just happy to be out here regardless of the result. I’m just happy. I’m blessed to be out here. It’s not easy, and there’s a lot of ups and downs, but you’ve just got to go with it, and that’s something I’m learning as I’m getting older and being out here longer.”
The scoring was once again low at this event.
Chris Kirk and Billy Horschel were in with 64s in the morning wave. All Kirk did was make an ace with his opening swing on the par three 10th as he played the back nine first. In the afternoon wave Sergio Garcia and Taylor Gooch joined them at seven-under. Rickie Fowler is still trending upward, Rickie’s 66 put him in good shape. Tony Finau and Scottie Scheffler put 67s on the board.
The field’s highest-ranked player — Justin Thomas — had a disaster of a start. Six pars and three bogeys on the back nine, his first, put J.T. three-over at the turn — an ugly predicament for the world’s No. 7. But Thomas came to life over his final nine holes and showed off his extreme firepower. He went on a run of five straight birdies starting at the third hole. That got him to two-under and a closing birdie at the ninth gave him 68 — a nice round considering his miserable start.
For Brooks Koepka, the man who things he’ll end up with more majors than Tiger Woods, it was a totally sub-standard day. A double-bogey, two bogeys and four birdies added up to even par 71 and left Brooksie tied for 92nd with the rest of the under-achievers.
