Welch in 2nd After First Round 66 at Simmons Bank Open
Patrick Welch carded a first round 66 (6-under) and sits in solo second after the first round of the Simmons Bank Open on the Korn Ferry Tour.
The former Classical grad sits two shots back of leader Scott Stevens, who is 8-under and still on the course, at the time of this publication.
“Just birdied the first hole, got off to a good start. I think a couple holes in like I was making really good putts, so I just kind of figured just keep hitting greens and keep giving myself chances. I was lucky and fortunate enough to make a few coming down the back nine, especially after the bogey on 14. Overall, it was pretty solid all around,” said Welch after the round.
Meanwhile, Davis Chatfield posted a three-over 75 and is in 119th.
The former RI Amateur champ made one bogey on the front nine and a double on the back nine to get to the three-over number.
He will have work to do on Friday in order to make the cut.
Welch’s 1st Round
Welch opened the day with a birdie on the first hole and then another on the fourth hole to get to two under for the day.
After three straight pars, Welch birdied the eighth and ninth holes to turn at 32 (4-under).
On the back side, Welch birdied ten, before making four straight pars.
The former Oklahoma star’s only blemish of the day came on 15 when he bogeyed the par-3 to fall back to four-under.
However, he bounced back.
Welch birdies 16 and 17 and then saved par on 18 to shoot 66.
“Everything was just kind of clicking. Hit my driver really well, hit my irons pretty solid and made some putts, and if I missed some greens, I scrambled pretty well as well. Everything clicked, and you try to take advantage of when that happens. It was good,” Welch added.
Likely the only thing he would like to have back is the par-5s.
There are four par-5s on the course and he made par on all of them.