Richard Green in action during his round of 64 – image Ryan Lochhead PGA of America
Australia’s Richard Green has made a great start to the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship in Benton Harbor in Michigan, an opening round of 7 under 64 giving him a share of the lead with England’s LIV League golfer, Richard Bland.
Green, who is in his second season on the PGA Tour Champions, has yet to win but has shown a great level of consistency with numerous top tens and a near miss when beaten in a playoff late last year, but, in this second major of the year for the PGA Tour Champions, he has opened up the possibility of a breakthrough.
Green produced an eagle, six birdies and one bogey in his morning round on day one, making a fast start when 4 under through 5 holes. A bogey at the 6th was the only blemish of the day.
“It was an exceptionally good day,” said Green. “You know, it’s a very challenging golf course, and one that can really bite you at times.
“So the start of the day it was to go out there and treat it with as much respect as possible and play good golf shots, and I was doing that, which was nice. Got off to a great start.
“Made the opportunities when needed and scored on the difficult holes well. Yeah, just kept the round going.”
When asked about the state of his game ahead of this week Green responded; “It’s been okay. It’s obviously a work in progress all the time. Golf, you’re ebbing and flowing with form and your belief in what you’re capable of with everything in the bag.
“You know, I was just pleased at my preparation this week. It’s been really nice. I feel really good about my game. I feel everything that I’m using in the golf bag is what I’ve been using for most of this year and I’m feeling good with it, so it’s nice.”
Of the other Australasians in the field, Scott Hend, playing in his first PGA Tour Champions event, is at 3 under along with Mark Hensby, while PGA Tour Champions debutante, Cameron Percy and Greg Chalmers are the next best at 2 under par.
