Patrick Welch Shoots 62, Leads Puerto Rico Classic After Round1
Rhode Island’s Patrick Welch fired a first round 62 to take the solo lead after round one of the Puerto Rico Classic on Sunday morning at Grans Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
Welch made eight birdies and an eagle in the round to post the low number.
The 62 is a school record.
The former Classical star leads Purdue’s Herman Wibe Sekne by two shots and Georgia’s Trent Phillips and Ben Van Wyk by three shots.
Meanwhile, as a team, Oklahoma sits in second place overall with two rounds left.
Welch Puts on Show
Starting his round on the par-5 second hole, Welch birdied the hole, and then birdied the third hole to get off to a fast start.
After a par on the fourth hole, Welch birdied five, six and seven, before parring eight and nine.
Welch played those eight holes in 27 strokes.
Making the turn, Welch saved par on the 10th hole, birdied the 11th hole before saving pars on 12 and 13.
The Providence native then birdied the 14th hole, parred 15 and 16, before dropping another birdie on the 17th hole.
On the Par-5 18th hole, Welch put it on in two and drained the eagle putt to play the back side in 31 strokes.
With one hole left, Welch needed a birdie for 61 or a par would give him 62.
Welch ended up making a par on the hole to finish at 10-under and in first place.