The first day of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai (Hualalai Golf Club, Hawaii) leaves us to the South African Ernie Els (-8) at the top of the table with a shot advantage over the Fijian Vijay Singh (-7) and two with a large group of golfers in which they are Darren Clarke, defending champion, and the German Bernard Langer, winner of the last Charles Schwab Cup. The beginning of Miguel Angel Jimenez It has also been more than remarkable and with the card of 67 strokes that he has signed (-5) he occupies the eighth position of the tournament.
Many birdies in Hualalai. That’s the first headline that leaves us the start of the new season in the PGA Champions Tour. Favorable conditions and the great favorites who have taken advantage of them at the first opportunity. The most successful, Ernie Els, who with six birdies and an eagle on the 14th hole, where he left the ball just three meters from the flag, has taken the reins of the tournament. Vijay lurking with -7, on a card almost mirrored that of the South African, with five birdies and an eagle on hole 4.
Good day, too, for Miguel Ángel Jiménez. The man from Malaga began with a bogey at hole 2, but quickly, with three birdies at holes 4, 6 and 7, he got into a positive dynamic. Three more birdies in the second nine holes leave him with that part of -5. Twelve fairways and thirteen greens in regulation are the numbers of the double champion in Hawaii (2015 and 2020).
The incombustible Lager starts the year as it left off, with a festival of hits (four birdies and an eagle) and above all with an enviable short game. The German has missed four greens and has paid off with three pars and a birdie, scoring a more than curious chip on the 16th hole. Distance does not seem to be a problem at 64 years of age. He has also signed 66 hits Darren Clarkedefending champion.
Retief Goosen (-6), Stephen Ames (-6), Steven Alker (-6) or Jim Furyk (-5) are other players who have shone on this first day of the year.
A day in which the death of Bob Goalby at 92 years of age. The American won the Augusta Masters in 1968 and eleven times on the PGA Tour. Rest in peace.
