Andrade trying new career

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Billy Andrade isn’t ready to quit playing professional golf. However, the Atlanta resident and East Lake Golf Club member is starting a new career and it's right here at home. Andrade is working for the Golf Channel this week as an on-course commentator at the Tour Championship.

“I played this year [on Tour] but I didn’t play very well,” Andrade said. “I’m thinking about changing my career, my career job choice.”

Andrade, 46, said he will continue to play tournament golf on a limited basis next while learning the announcing craft. He will look toward playing on the senior tour in a few years.

“Right now I’m more concerned with seeing how good I can get as an announcer,” Andrade said. “I’m looking forward to it. It keeps me in the game. I know all the players. I’ve known all these guys for a long time. … Hopefully, I can give some decent insight.”

Andrade will work the Golf Channel’s coverage Thursday and Friday and its early-day coverage on the weekend.

Even Phil takes an 8

Phil Mickelson finished Thursday's first round at 3-over 73. All the damage came on the par-4 14th, where Mickelson carded quadruple-bogey 8. Mickelson's approach missed the green to the left and he bladed his third shot across the green. He sent his fourth shot back across the green and into a bunker and then left the fifth shot in the bunker. Finally, he put the ball on the green with his sixth shot and two-putted. He came to the hole at 1-under and left 3-over.

Weir defeats No. 18

Mike Weir was the only player in the field to birdie the 224-yard par-3 18th hole. But it took some doing. Weir left his tee shot in the primary rough at the back of the green, 23 yards from the hole. From there, he chipped in for the birdie to finish at 2-over 72.

Etc.

- The tournament officially began when Dan Yates Jr. and Tyler Lawrence, from the First Tee program at East Lake, hit the ceremonial first tee shots.

- Stewart Cink reported — via Twitter — that his commute from his Duluth home to East Lake was one hour and eight minutes, including dropping his son off at school.