Harrison Endycott – file photo Golf NSW
Sydney’s Harrison Endycott is playing just his fourth event as a PGA Tour cardholder and after the opening round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in Southhampton in Bermuda, the 26 year old finds himself in a share of the lead of the US$6.5 million event.
Endycott, who impressed with a 12th place finish on debut at the Fortinet Championship after securing his playing rights via the regular season on the Korn Ferry Tour, began slowly with bogeys at his opening two holes but he would play his next six holes in 6 under including a birdie at his 9th hole then finished his round strongly with three birdies and an eagle in his last five holes.
Endycott, a member of Australia’s winning Eisenhower Trophy team in 2016 along with Cameron Davis and Curtis Luck, played the Australasian, South American and Korn Ferry Tours until earning his PGA Tour rights with a win and several top tens on the Korn Ferry Tour earlier this year.
“Yeah, look, I been hitting it great and really did some good work with the putting over the last two weeks,” said Endycott.
“I’ve been really struggling a little bit just especially with confidence with it, been hitting a lot of good putts and not seeing it going in. My coach and I came down with a pretty good strategy over the last two weeks at home to, you know, really get confident again.
“It was great today, I found a little bit of confidence. Had a slow start, started bogey, bogey. I said to Dave, my caddie, I said I think it’s time to get on a bit of a heater now. It was great, I can’t remember the last time I had a couple eagles, two in a round, and I just hit some really good quality shots out there.”
When asked how he was coping with life on the PGA Tour compared to the lesser tours he has played until now Endycott responded; “I’m just trying to take the little 1 percenters as we go. It’s a whole new feel again. It’s bigger and bolder and we’re out playing on the best and biggest tour in the world.
“For rookies coming out, it takes some people a little longer than others to feel comfortable and some people feel comfortable straightaway. For me it’s just a little bit at a time. I won’t be too far away where I really feel comfortable out here. Yeah, I’m just trying to take a little tiny 1 percenters and the small wins within myself and hopefully we can add three more good rounds and have a good year. If not, it is what it is.”
Endycott shares the lead with American Austin Smotherman who like Endycott played his way through South America and the Korn Ferry Tour to make it to the PGA Tour. He is in his second season at this level and has just one top ten to his name thus far.
Aaron Baddeley earned a place in this field through Open qualifying and has mde the most i=of it so far after his opening round of 65 having him in a share of 16th in what has been a low scoring opening day.
Cameron Percy and Greg Chalmers are the next best of the Australians in 29th place after rounds of 66.
