Staff reports
At least in the first round, PGA Tour golf suits Matt NeSmith pretty well.
The recent North Augusta grad got off to a solid start at the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., carding an even-par 70 on Thursday. That score was good enough to have NeSmith, who is set to join the University of South Carolina golf team when school starts, in a tie for 80th place.
"The first hole I felt like I was going to throw up," NeSmith said of the start of his first PGA Tournament round. "It was a blur, I was so excited. … I got through the first three holes and felt comfortable."
Starting on the back nine, NeSmith bogeyed three of his first five holes. He remained calm, though, answering with three birdies before he made the turn to No. 1.
"I got in a bad stretch there then came back a little and put myself in good position to make the cut," he said.
The front nine was calmer for him, as he shot seven pars, a birdie and a bogey to finish even on both sides of the course.
NeSmith gained entry into the tournament by winning the FJ Invitational in June, but that's not his only junior success this season. The former Yellow Jacket also won the Rolex Tournament of Champions, the Azalea Invitational in Charleston and the Class AAAA State Championship, good enough to earn him the top ranking among South Carolina junior golfers.
He also helped the East team to a victory in the Wyndham Cup, a match play tournament held at Bay Hill in Orlando for the top junior golfers from each side of the Mississippi River.
This week, he has gotten the opportunity to compete with some of the best pro players from around the world.
"I talked to Camilo Villegas and (Angel) Cabrera," NeSmith said of his interactions with PGA Tour veterans. "They're just regular people and really nice. (Cabrera) stopped me in the parking lot and told me good job and that I played well."
The future Gamecock will tee off on No. 1 at 9 a.m. today, along with pros Alexandre Rocha and Garth Mulroy.
"I feel more comfortable," he said of today's second round. "I'm excited to see what it's like to play in front of a full gallery.
"I'm having a wonderful time and couldn't ask for more."Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
At least in the first round, PGA Tour golf suits Matt NeSmith pretty well.
The recent North Augusta grad got off to a solid start at the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., carding an even-par 70 on Thursday. That score was good enough to have NeSmith, who is set to join the University of South Carolina golf team when school starts, in a tie for 80th place.
"The first hole I felt like I was going to throw up," NeSmith said of the start of his first PGA Tournament round. "It was a blur, I was so excited. … I got through the first three holes and felt comfortable."
Starting on the back nine, NeSmith bogeyed three of his first five holes. He remained calm, though, answering with three birdies before he made the turn to No. 1.
"I got in a bad stretch there then came back a little and put myself in good position to make the cut," he said.
The front nine was calmer for him, as he shot seven pars, a birdie and a bogey to finish even on both sides of the course.
NeSmith gained entry into the tournament by winning the FJ Invitational in June, but that's not his only junior success this season. The former Yellow Jacket also won the Rolex Tournament of Champions, the Azalea Invitational in Charleston and the Class AAAA State Championship, good enough to earn him the top ranking among South Carolina junior golfers.
He also helped the East team to a victory in the Wyndham Cup, a match play tournament held at Bay Hill in Orlando for the top junior golfers from each side of the Mississippi River.
This week, he has gotten the opportunity to compete with some of the best pro players from around the world.
"I talked to Camilo Villegas and (Angel) Cabrera," NeSmith said of his interactions with PGA Tour veterans. "They're just regular people and really nice. (Cabrera) stopped me in the parking lot and told me good job and that I played well."
The future Gamecock will tee off on No. 1 at 9 a.m. today, along with pros Alexandre Rocha and Garth Mulroy.
"I feel more comfortable," he said of today's second round. "I'm excited to see what it's like to play in front of a full gallery.
"I'm having a wonderful time and couldn't ask for more."Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
