CARY — Rocco Mediate wasted no time in jumping out to a strong seven-under start during his opening round of the SAS Championship at Prestonwood Country Club on Friday.
Mediate hit a dart on his approach shot into the first green to several feet which he coolly putted in to start the day with his first birdie.
Mediate would follow up his opening bridie with birdies on six out of his next 12 holes before adding to that strong stretch sinking a mid-range eagle putt on the 17th hole to get to his round-ending -7 opening score.
On Mediate’s heels is the International Y.E. Yang, who would also start his day off strong with a birdie on the opening hole. Yang had a strong ball-striking day hitting nearly 90% of greens in regulation and only carding one bogey for the round.
Yang finished his day with two birdies in his last three holes to end the day with a score of -6.
The SAS Championship is the final stop of the regular season chase for the Charles Schwab Cup, with the tournament this weekend being the last chance to garner points to get into next week’s Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Richmond, Virginia — the first of a three-tournament stretch featuring the top 72 on the standings making into next week’s field.
Notable mentions within striking distance of the lead and in the top 10 of the leaderboard include Colin Montgomerie, Jerry Kelly, and fan favourite Fred Couples, all tied fourth place at -4.
