Canada’s Adam Hadwin made sure to start the 2021-2022 PGA schedule on the right foot Thursday in Napa, Calif., By handing in a 66 (-6) opening card at the Fortinet Championship.
Hadwin had seven birdies, including two in the last three pennants. He thus points in second position, tied with the American Cameron Tringale. Another American, Chez Reavie (65), did better than Hadwin by cutting off three shots on his side during the last three holes. He thus took control of the tournament.
Hadwin is on the hunt for a second career PGA victory as he showed a sixth place best result so far in 2021. It was at the 3M Open.
The task will not be easy, however, since six opponents are behind him at -5. They are Americans Nate Lashley, Max Homa, Scott Stallings, Troy Merritt and Jason Dufner as well as Chilean Mito Pereira.
Six other representatives of the maple leaf also participate in this event, namely Adam Svensson, Nick Taylor, Roger Sloan, Michael Gligic, Taylor Pendrith and David Hearn. The first three showed a return of 70 (-2), while the next two played 71 (-1). Hearn settled for par at 72.
Brooke M. Henderson very close to the summit
On the LPGA side, Canadian golfer Brooke M. Henderson kept close to the leaders after the first round of the Cambia Portland Classic on Thursday in West Linn, Oregon.
Henderson chopped off two par-72 strokes from the Oregon Golf Club course, under a performance of three birdies and a buggy. She will start the second day of activities tied with four other participants in the 10th echelon, two strikes from the leading trio.
This top trio is made up of the Thai Pajaree Anannarukarn, the Spanish Carlota Ciganda and the Scottish Gemma Dryburgh. Six other participants will start their second 18 holes of the competition just one strike behind the comeneuses.
The only other Canadian in contention, Alena Sharp, can also hope to stay in the top group, she who handed in a 71 (-1) card on her first outing. Her day was full of ups and downs, she who had five birdies but committed four bogeys. She shares 15th place with a host of opponents.
