Paul Casey
32-33-65
Casey had back spasms which caused him to withdraw from the Deutsche Bank Classic three weeks ago. Once he arrived at East Lake, the Englishman put a brand new driver in his bag. He played with a bright blue Nike Vapor Fly which he only tested in May and it arrived at East Lake this week. “When the box arrived this week, I was keen to get after it,” Casey said. He finished the first round in second place, recording six birdies and one bogey. He said he’s been working with a new putter but has not yet broken it out. A 17-foot birdie putt on No. 17 may keep it shelved a little longer.
Rory McIlroy
33-33-66
McIlroy may be a long shot to win the FedEx Cup but the Tour Championship is a real possibility for the world’s No. 2 golfer after an opening round of 4 under par. McIlroy got his round going with birdies on the final three holes of the front nine after he was 1 over par. His final of six birdies on the day came on No. 17 when his 150-yard approach shot finished inches from the cup for a tap-in. “I would be great to finish off this PGA Tour season on a high,” McIlroy said. “Whether that means winning the FedEx Cup at the end of it, that’s not in my hands.”
J.B. Holmes
31-37-68
For a time, Holmes was in control of the first round. He led at 5 under par after 10 holes with four birdies on the front nine and another to start the back. Then the round got away from him with bogeys on Nos. 13, 15 and 17. A big part of the back-nine derailment came on the par-5 15th. After two shots in the rough, his approach landed in the greenside bunker. He needed three putts after getting on the putting surface, the first from 11 feet, 5 inches.
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