Golf: Kim and Spaun start the FedEx Cup on the right foot

UPDATE DAY

The majority of golfers at the St. Jude Championship, the first stop of the FedEx PGA Cup, negotiated the difficulties of the TPC Southwind course in Memphis, Tennessee well, handing cards under the par of 70. However, no one did better than South Korean Si Woo Kim and American J.J. Spaun, who each shot 62 (-8) on Thursday. 

< p>Spaun cleared eight birdies, while the one with whom he shares the lead misstepped with a bogey, stalling seven birdies and an eagle. 

Despite this good score, nothing is decided for the two men, while 76 of the 120 golfers present did better than par for the course, including their closest pursuer, the American Sahith Theegala, who is one shot from the

In fact, five of the six Canadians present for the FedEx Cup playoffs have returned a card below 70, Nick Taylor being the exception, he who tumbled to 117th by virtue of a round of 74 (+4).

Taylor Pendrith and Adam Svensson are in the best position after 18 holes, with a score of 66 (-4), which earns them 18th place. Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners, for their part, are only one step behind their compatriots, who sit in 30th place.

In the end, Adam Hadwin just beat par, hitting the white object 69 (-1) times.

A tough start for Alena Sharp in Northern Ireland

The only Canadian to participate in the ISPS Handa World Invitational, disputed in Northern Ireland this week, Alena Sharp did not have the hoped-for start.

The Hamilton native handed over a 74 (+2) card to Massereene Golf Club (MAS). After a nightmarish first pennant, where she committed a double bogey, Sharp had a rollercoaster day. She managed four birdies and as many bogeys.

It should be noted that this tournament is not the most orthodox. Organized jointly by the DP World Tour, the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA Tour, it takes place on two courses. Thus, the golfers also visit the Galgorm Castle Golf Club (GAL), alternating between the rounds.

Note also that the par at the MAS is 72, and once more at the GAL. The leader of the event, American Amanda Doherty (-6) played her first round on this last course. Thus, she holds a one-shot lead over two of her closest pursuers who visited MAS first, Emily Kristine Pederson and Lauren Coughlin, even though they also hit the ball 67 times on Thursday.

< p>The English Georgia Hall and the Irish Leona Maguire are also part of the peloton in second position at -5, they who started their tournament at the GAL.