Lead with 3-under par start "Did you see the 210-yard shot eagle?"... Bae Sang-moon falters at even par

PGA Tour 2021/2022 Season 6th Event Bermuda Championship Day 1 Tied 10th, Haegi and Raemy Tied for Lead at 6 Under Par

Patrick Reed is reading the putting line on the 13th hole during the first day of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Bermuda=Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "210-yard shot eagle."

World No. 24 Patrick Reed (USA) drew the spotlight on the first day of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship (total prize money $6.5 million), the 6th event of the 2021/2022 PGA Tour season, which opened on the 29th (Korean time) at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda (par 71, 6,828 yards), by making an "albatross-like eagle." On the 17th hole (par 5), after his tee shot veered to the right side of the fairway, his third shot from the cart path, following a one-stroke penalty, went straight in. He used a 6-iron.

Reed is a world star who has won 9 PGA Tour titles including one major, having claimed the Masters in April 2018, known as the "Masters of Masters." This year, he also showed exceptional power by shooting 4-under on the final day of the Farmers Insurance Open in February to secure a 5-stroke victory. It is surprising that his recent performance has been lackluster. Since finishing 5th at the Memorial Tournament in June, he has failed to enter the top 10 in nine consecutive events, causing frustration.

This is why Reed has targeted the "fall series," a niche market. Most top-ranked players have taken a break following last week's Zozo Championship held in Japan. Additionally, some players such as Jonathan Kay, Will Mackenzie, and Cody Gribble (all from the USA) withdrew from the tournament due to Bermuda's strict COVID-19 quarantine procedures and flight shortages caused by weather issues. This has increased Reed's chances of winning.

On this day, Reed recorded 1 eagle, 6 birdies, 3 bogeys, and 1 double bogey. He started strong with three consecutive birdies on holes 1 to 3. Although a double bogey on the 4th hole (par 4) was disappointing, he recovered with "stepping stone birdies" on the 5th and 7th holes, and exchanged a bogey on the 8th hole (par 3) for a birdie on the 14th hole (par 4). The bogey on the 16th hole (par 3) was overshadowed by the eagle on the 17th hole. Although he made another bogey on the final 18th hole (par 4), he started his march toward victory tied for 10th place at 3-under par.

Brandon Hagy is teeing off at the 9th hole on the first day of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Bermuda=Getty Images/Multivitz

Brandon Hagy and Chad Ramey (both USA) share the lead at 6-under par, with the competition delayed due to bad weather. "22-year-old star rookie" Garrick Higgo (South Africa) is a player to watch, positioned tied for 4th at 4-under par. He made news by winning the Palmetto Championship in June, becoming a PGA Tour champion in just his second event. Defending champion Brian Gay (USA), on the other hand, is tied for 89th at 4-over par. From Korea, Bae Sang-moon (35) is tied for 34th at even par, and Noh Seung-yul (31) is tied for 63rd at 2-over par.