PGA Pros play stableford event

Have you ever watched the PGA Tour’s continuous strokeplay events and wished that they would liven them up now and again?

Well, tucked away in Nevada, at the Montreux Country Club, while the cameras are focused on the world’s best players at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, the likes of Padraig Harrington, Camilo Villegas and John Daly are taking part in the first Stableford event on the PGA Tour for six years.

Argentinean Andres Romero leads the way with 14 points, followed by South Korean Seung Yul Noh on 13. Daly is the closest of the big names on 10 points. Players receive eight points for an albatross, five for eagle, two for birdie, zero for par, minus-one for bogey and minus-three for a double bogey or worse.

Romero recorded a blemish-free round to lead the Reno-Tahoe Open. He said: “Well, seven birdies and 11 pars, that’s unusual for me. I usually do a lot of birdies and bogeys as well and very aggressive. But the key was the greens. I had a good feeling on the greens, and that’s why I got that score.”
 
Regarding the format, the 31-year-old, who caused a stir at The Open when footballer Carlos Tevez caddied for him in the final round, said: “This is my first time. It’s unusual to see scores on the board like 14 or 12 or whatever. But I felt really good. I like the format.”
 
Ireland’s three-time major winner Padraig Harrington was joint 22nd on seven points after a mixed round that saw him record an eagle – on the 18th – as well as three birdies, but also card four bogeys.