The Associated Press
GREENSBORO, N.C.–Matt Every matched the Wyndham Championship’s first-round record with a nine-under 61 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead.
Every tied the opening-round mark set in 2010 by Arjun Atwal, who went on to win the PGA Tour’s final tournament before the post-season.
Henrik Stenson opened with a 62.
Former Wyndham winner Webb Simpson was at 63, along with Cameron Smith, Vaughn Taylor, Tim Wilkinson, Harold Varner III, Brian Campbell, and Sam Saunders.
Davis Love III–the 53-year-old player who has won this tournament three times, most recently in 2015–matched Martin Flores and Rick Lamb with a 64.
David Hearn of Brantford, Ont. and Ottawa’s Brad Fritsch both shot 67’s to sit at three-under.
Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. opened with a 68.
For Every, a 33-year-old with two career victories on tour, this was a much-needed strong start to what he hopes is a long week.
“I played good, and have been playing good for a while,” he noted.
“So it’s just nice to see it come together.”
Every arrived at the par-70 Sedgefield Country Club in a tie for 183rd on the FedEx Cup points list.
The top 125 qualify for The Northern Trust next week in New York.
His best finish this season was a tie for 14th at the Canadian Open, and he had a string of seven-straight tournaments from April-June in which he either withdrew or missed the cut.
Both of his victories came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in 2014 and ’15.
“I have a high regard for my talent,” Every said. “Like, I know I’m as talented as anyone out here–maybe like five guys are more talented than me–so I couldn’t let myself quit.
“There were a lot of low points, though,” he admitted. “That’s life.
“Just everything that I’ve been through, I’ve brought on myself,” Every added. “So I don’t need any sympathy or anything.
“It’s just the way my path has gone so far in the last couple years.”
After the best round of his career, Every sure looks like a safe bet to reach the weekend at Sedgefield.
He had a chance at the overall course record of 60 with a six-foot birdie putt on No. 18, but missed it and tapped in a five-inch putt for par.
