Rory McIlroy (-4) stated in the preview that the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the venue for the Cognizant Classic of the PGA Tour, seemed more ‘simple’ than in previous circuit visits. Less hard and more receptive greens, along with a shorter rough, which penalised errors from the tee less, suggested low results. And so it has been in the first round, where almost 100 players have finished with red numbers in the classification.
The American Chad Ramey (-7), in the morning shift, and the South Korean S.H. Kim (-7), in the afternoon, were the best, with respective cards of 64 strokes, seven birdies for the first and five birdies and an eagle for the second. Although their margin on the table is just one stroke over a group of players in which the name of Cameron Young (-6) stands out, primarily. A line that continues, among others, with Billy Horschel (-5), Erik van Rooyen (-5), Matthieu Pavon (-4), Shane Lowry (-4), Justin Rose (-4), Nick Dunlap (-4)… and McIlroy himself.
Going right at it 🎯
S.H. Kim moves to two back of the lead @The_Cognizant. pic.twitter.com/D1d2UWso8x
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 29, 2024
The Northern Irishman, who started the year with a second place in the Dubai Invitational and a victory in the Dubai Desert Classic, of the DP World Tour, is already immersed in the American season, on his way to his coveted Masters (the tournament he lacks to complete the Grand Slam). Although before reaching Augusta National he has another goal in sight: a victory this week would allow him to regain the Number One of the World Golf Ranking by just finishing the Arnold Palmer Invitational ahead of Scottie Scheffler.
As for Jorge Campillo (PAR), the only Spaniard present in the tournament, bittersweet start in his second appearance as a member of the American circuit. He started the day with a sensational eagle at the par five of hole 10. He played very well from the tee, with almost 80% of streets, and hardly made any major mistakes with the irons, with 14 of 18 greens in regulation, but he lacked precision in the approach shots because he had to face again and again putts too long to look for the birdies.
No better way to start tournament week!
TOUR pros Joe Highsmith, Chandler Phillips and @JCampilloGolf visited students at a local elementary school. pic.twitter.com/j2OkiAi0ZZ
— Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches (@the_cognizant) February 29, 2024
He achieved one on the par three of 15, sinking from just over two meters, and another on the par five of 3, where he putted from afar for eagle. But this lack of precision with the irons led him to commit four bogeys, which took his round to 71 strokes, at par, and will force him to look for a low enough result tomorrow to have options to pass the cut and continue playing the weekend. Anything other than being this Friday at 67 strokes or perhaps less probably will not serve the Extremaduran to overcome the sieve.
