Shane Bertsch, who has bounced between the PGA Tour and its satellite circuit over the last 15 years, charged into a two-shot lead in the Bob Hope Classic first round at La Quinta, California on Wednesday.
American Bertsch fired a sizzling 10-under-par 62 on the Nicklaus Private course at PGA West, one of four venues hosting the five-round pro-am celebrity event.
Rookie Alex Prugh, making only his third appearance on the PGA Tour, and fellow American Jeff Quinney recorded matching 64s on the same Nicklaus layout.
PHOTO: AFP
JP Hayes launched his season in fine style with an eight-birdie 65 on the Palmer Private course, finishing level with Garrett Willis, George McNeill and Joe Ogilvie.
Willis started out on the Nicklaus layout, McNeill began at La Quinta Country Club and Ogilvie toured the Palmer course.
American Pat Perez, who won last year’s title by three shots, opened with a 68 at the SilverRock Resort, the most difficult of the four venues.
Canadian Mike Weir, the 2003 champion, opened with a 67 on the Palmer course while former world No. 1 David Duval returned a 74 at the same venue.
Had it not been for a pummelling at the hands of Andre Agassi, Bertsch may have opted for a career in tennis instead of taking up golf.
Bertsch was a promising tennis player as a junior before his defeat by Agassi effectively decided his future.
“If I would have beaten Agassi, I would have probably had to pursue tennis,” Berstch told reporters. “But [winning] wasn’t even in the realm of possibilities. He was so much far and above everyone at that age.”
“I just happened to play him in a big national tournament, and I was able to get a game off him. He beat me 6-0, 6-1 or something, but that was a pretty good accomplishment for me,” Bertsch said.
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