Billy Andrade Leads SAS Championship After 1st Round
Seeking his first victory in nine years, Rhode Island’s Billy Andrade leads the SAS Championship by one shot after the first round.
Playing at Crestwood Country Club in Carolina, Andrade carded an opening round 65 (7-under) to hold a one shot lead over Padraig Harrington.
“Today was obviously a great day. Hit the ball nicely and made some nice putts and didn’t have any issues with my back, so I’m pretty excited about that,” Andrade said after the round.
Andrade didn’t make a bogey in the round.
While Andrade leads the way, Brett Quigley is in a tie for 44th at even par.
Andrade’s Round
Starting on the front nine, Andrade saved par on the firs three holes to remain even.
Andrade then birdied on the fourth hole, sixth hole and seventh hole to turn at three-under.
On ten, he left his second shot short of the green, no bother, he rolled in a 25 footer for birdie.
“I had an uphill putt. I was on the front of the green and I hit a hell of a putt and snuck it in the right side, so it was great to make a birdie there. Going up the hill into the grain, I had to hit it and I was fortunate enough that I hit it just hard enough,” said Andrade about the putt.
Andrade then birdied the 15th, 16th and 17th holes to move to seven-under par for the round.
On 18, Andrade hit a poor second shot and put his ball into the bunker.
But he made a clutch par.
“I kind of it a fat seven-iron. I didn’t hit a perfect shot and came up short there. Thought it might catch – might get on the front part of the green. Had a pretty basic bunker shot and I hit it to about ten feet there and made a nice putt to finish the day,” said Andrade.
Andrade will look to keep momentum going on Saturday.