China’s Bobby Bai made a superb 40-foot birdie on his last hole to enjoy a dream debut at the Barbasol Championship on Thursday following a first round of 6-under 66 which left him two shots off the lead.
Anirban Lahiri, who will be heading to the Tokyo Olympics later this month, was cruising on 6-under for his round until a late blemish where he found water with his approach shot into the 18th to drop a double bogey.
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He enjoyed a hot streak around the turn, making three straight birdies from the eighth hole and then converting a 22-feet eagle putt on the 11th hole. His opening 68 puts him in a share of 31st position with the first round to resume on Friday morning following a weather suspension.
The 23-year-old Bai is making his PGA Tour debut on U.S. soil after finishing as joint medallist at Monday Qualifying with a 64 and he kept his foot firmly on the pedal at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky with a flawless round. He hit 12 fairways and 17 greens in regulation.
A regular on the Korn Ferry Tour, the young Chinese birdied all four par-5 holes and signed off in style with a monster putt that put a big smile on his face. Brian Stuard, a one-time winner, leads the tournament with a 64.
Florida-based Bai said: “I played according to my strategy and I got my birdies on the holes that I planned to attack. The course is a little wet and I can be more aggressive. I feel my driver is also good today, and my irons and putting were not bad. I hope to keep the momentum tomorrow and I’ll stick to my strategy in the following three days.”
Text courtesy: PGA Tour
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