McGirt Fires Sizzling 64 To Lead Sapona Open  

Lexington, NC- 2007 Cabarrus Classic Champion William McGirt fired a 7-under par 64 and leads the Tarheel Tour’s Sapona Open by a shot over tour rookie Beau Mitchell heading into Thursday’s second round.

McGirt began his round on the back nine of Sapona Country Club’s Ellis Maples layout and promptly birdied four of his first eight holes to make the turn in four under par. The Boiling Springs, SC native then made an eagle at the tricky par five first and added a birdie at the fourth and briefly looked like a threat to set a new course record before settling for five consecutive pars to end his day. The course record at Sapona Country Club is 61, set a year ago by former Nationwide Tour player Ryan Gioffre.

McGirt’s play should come as no surprise since he is one of only two players on the Tarheel Tour this season to post top-10 finishes in each of the first three events. The other player to accomplish the feat is Fort Payne, AL native Scott Weatherly, who made five back nine birdies on his way to a first round 68 early Wednesday morning.

Sitting one shot back is Tarheel Tour rookie Beau Mitchell. Mitchell, a native of Clermont, FL shot 65, the low round of the morning wave. Mitchell also opened play on the back nine making four straight pars before catching fire and finishing with seven birdies sandwiched around a lone bogey in his final 14-holes. Mitchell’s best finish in his short Tarheel Tour career is a tie for 11th at the TPGG Classic earlier this spring.

Several players sit two shots behind McGirt including two-time Tarheel Tour champion Jason Martin. The UNC-Greensboro alumnus has struggled early this season with missed cuts in his three events, but a second round 67 at The Manor Classic two weeks ago showed signs that his game is coming around. The downward trend in Martin’s scoring average continued Wednesday at Sapona Country Club as the Lenoir native was able to card six birdies on his way to a 5-under par 66. Manor Classic champion Jay McLuen also sits only two shots back in his bid to become the first back to back winner on the tour in several years.

Soft conditions and a light wind allowed 42 players in the field to better par in the first round. The field will be cut to the low 47-players plus ties after 36-holes. The players who survive to play Friday’s final will battle it out for the first place check of $17,500 and a total purse of $110,565. As always the public is welcome to come out and watch the future stars of the PGA Tour free of charge.

For a complete list of the leaderboard click here.

Featured Articles

• Andy Bare - Sapona Open


• DJ Fiese - Cabarrus Classic


• Jay Mcluen - Manor Classic


• Paul Butler - TPGG Classic


• David Robinson - Rivertowne Open


• Reid Edstrom - The Voice of Experience


• David Sanchez - Playing the Tarheel Tour


• Jonathan Fricke - Stonebridge Classic


• Andy Bare - PGA Wyndham Championship


• Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey - Playing the Tarheel Tour


• Tom Dee - British Open


• D.J. Fiese - Olde Sycamore Open Champion


• Andy Bare - Spring Creek Classic


• Jason Martin - Spring Creek Classic


• Dr. Bill Moore - "Trust It" Golf Psychology


• Shaun Norris - Southern Open


• Will McGirt - Southern Open


• Matt Cannon - Warrior Open
  
  
• Tommy Dee - discussing PGA Championship

News Archive

sponsored links

PRE-PAID LEGAL

MONAVIE

MonaVie products deliver the phytonutrients and antioxidants you need to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

TITLEIST

Learn about Titleist golf balls, golf clubs and accessories.

BUSHNELL

This is life, and this is how we magnify it.