Before today, Adam Scott had never played a competitive round in the Safeway Open. The Queenslander usually opted to begin his season in late October with the CIMB Classic and the WGC–HSBC Champions. But after shooting a first-round 65 on the North course at Silverado Country Club, it sounds like the Safeway could become a staple on Scott’s future schedule.
“I actually really enjoy this kind of tighter, smaller style courses,” said the former Masters champion. “We often play big, open, modern, resort-style courses. If I was to pick where to play socially, this is the kind of course I would play. A lot of the holes remind me of a lot of golf in areas of Australia, too, with the big trees. I know they’re oaks here, but there’s some eucalyptus around this area. Looks similar to Australia, so I feel quite comfortable out there.”
Scott felt especially comfortable on the greens, where he rolled in 150 feet of putts for the round, including a 32-foot birdie putt at the par-4 14th and a 53-footer for eagle at the par-5 fifth. See that putt here:
From 53 feet for eagle and a 2-shot lead …@AdamScott is rolling it at the @SafewayOpen.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/TBgVliRRsR
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 26, 2019
“I’ve been putting really nicely this whole year. I really haven’t fiddled with it since the Tour Championship and just kind of keep the routine going and the rhythm. I’ve been rolling some long ones in, which is obviously very helpful no matter what they’re for, par or birdie or eagle. But I felt really solid on the greens, so I’m just going to try and keep that going.”
He held the solo lead for most of the day, but Andrew Landry was able to match his 65 thanks to a late birdie at the par-4 eighth, his 17th hole. Just one behind is Francesco Molinari, who finished off a back-nine 32 with a birdie at the par-5 ninth, his final hole of the day.
A pair of first-time winners from last season, Cameron Champ and Adam Long, are among those tied for fifth at five-under.
