Angel Cabrera posted a bogey-free, 6-under 64 to set the early pace Friday at the Sanford International in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Argentine birdied three holes on each nine at Minnehaha Country Club, including Nos. 16 and 18, to card his low number — on his 56th birthday, no less.
“A good gift,” Cabrera said with a laugh. “Today, I play good, I’m very happy.”
Cabrera, a two-time major winner on the PGA Tour Champions this season, could jump into the top five in the Charles Schwab Cup points race with a win or a strong finish this week. He entered seventh in the standings.
“I feel very good,” Cabrera said. “My putter is better now. I got two more rounds, but I feel very good.”
He’s one stroke ahead of South Africa’s Retief Goosen, who birdied Nos. 10, 12, 14 and 16 for a late surge in his round of 65.
“With the wind, it was tricky, some of these fairways to hit,” Goosen said. “I’ve hit some good ones down the middle that didn’t stay in the fairway, but I’ve hit some really wild ones too. So hopefully tomorrow, I can get it going. My putter seemed to be behaving a little bit better today compared to last week when I couldn’t make a thing.”
Tied for third are Bo Van Pelt, New Zealand’s Steven Alker and South Africa’s Retief Goosen at 66. Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, the Schwab Cup leader, is among five players tied at 67.
John Daly signed for an 18-over-par 88 after scoring a 19 at the par-5 12th hole. He took seven penalty strokes in completing the hole.
–Field Level Media
