Things really didn’t start that well for Brandt Snedeker on Thursday at the Wyndham.
Bogeyed the first hole.
But the old saying about it’s now how you start, it’s how you finish really rang through at Sedgefield.
Ten birdies and an eagle later — Snedeker became the ninth guy to post the magic numbers on the PGA Tour.
New tournament record, naturally. Sned’s career best, of course.
It could have been better. He missed a six-footer for birdie at the 17th hole. He played the back nine first, bogeyed 10 then missed that shortie at 17, made the turn in three-under — no big deal.
Then Sneds goes berserk over his final nine — six birdies and an eagle for 27 — eight-under coming home.
Snedeker took it all in afterward.
“Felt like I kind of found something there for a few days and was able to put the ball where I wanted to and make some putts,” Snedeker said. “And all of a sudden everything starts feeling a little bit better. So excited about that this week because the greens are so good.”
As for the rest of the guys, this is the last call.
Last call for all those Bubble Guys to make it into the playoffs and save their tour cards.
That’s what you basically have this week in the last event of the regular PGA Tour season.
There are a lot of well-known names on the outside looking in coming to Sedgefield.
Sergio Garcia is sitting at No. 131. Pretty stinky year for Sergio to say the least.
Harris English is No. 132, Lucas Glover 133. Only the top 125 move on to the playoffs.
Former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell is in total jeopardy of losing his tour card. He’s sitting at No. 143. He last win came to years ago in Mayakoba and that exemption runs out now. Even if he doesn’t make it, he’ll still get into 10 to 12 events on past champion status and he’s got a spot over on the European Tour.
Hunter Mahan was once one of the best on the PGA Tour. He finds himself down at No. 157 with no much of a chance of jumping into the 125. He’s shown signs of better play this season but not enough.
So let the fun begin.
Sitting at lucky No. 125 is Tyrone Van Aswegen. Better make the cut, Tryone!
