In four rounds last year at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship, Ross Steelman made only three birdies. He didn’t make any on the back nine.
It took Steelman only four holes Friday to match his entire total from 72 holes last season.
The senior at Georgia Tech birdied three of his first four holes and added three more on the back nine in his opening-round 64, which is the lowest score recorded in the first round at Grayhawk the past three years. He didn’t have a bogey and was in control from his opening tee shot.
“I hit a 4-iron a lot further than I thought I could on 1,” Steelman said. “Hit a pitching wedge to maybe 20 feet and made a good putt to start it off.”
Steelman said he continued to remind himself par was a good score. And his 64 was a great one on a difficult Friday.
Following the morning wave, Steelman’s 6 under was three shots in front of the closest chasers, which include Arkansas’ Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira and Wil Gibson, and New Mexico’s Matthew Watkins.
Steelman’s experience at Grayhawk was pivotal to his fast start, and he’s confident after the opening 18.
“Kind of knowing what to expect for 12 months coming into it is huge,” Steelman said. “You kind of come in hearing the horror stories of how hard it is and seeing it on TV. Just being able to know what lies in front of you and know that it’s not impossible.”
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