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GREENSBORO, N.C. — Russell Henley nonetheless thinks a few poor end from two years in the past on the Wyndham Championship. He had no complaints about his begin Thursday, an 8-under 62 that gave him the lead within the last event earlier than the PGA Tour’s postseason.
Henley hit his strategy to six toes for eagle on the par-5 fifteenth on his strategy to a 30 on the again 9 at rain-softened Sedgefield Nation Membership. He led by one over Adam Svensson and Byeong Hun An, who birdied his final two holes.
Henley is at No. 34 within the FedEx Cup standings, whereas Svensson is No 37 and An No. 52. They’re assured a spot within the postseason, which is for the highest 70. They might be getting a head begin on the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Adam Scott does not have that luxurious, and that made his opening 65 priceless. He’s at No. 81 and wishes an enormous end to salvage his season. So does Justin Thomas at No. 78 — for the FedEx Cup and the Ryder Cup — and he may solely handle a 70.
Henley was helped by avoiding the sunshine however regular rain that fell many of the morning, the climate Scott, Thomas and different early starters needed to face. Henley missed solely two fairways and rode a sizzling putter, recipe for this course.
Two years in the past, Henley had a three-shot lead going into the ultimate spherical and nonetheless had management on the again 9 when he made 4 bogeys during the last eight holes, together with the 18th to overlook out on a playoff by one shot. It nonetheless bothers him.
“I give it some thought so much,” Henley mentioned. “I used to be main by three going within the last spherical a pair and was main the event by just a few going into No. 11 … and did not get it carried out.”
The highest 70 who qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs is down from 125 gamers in recent times, a change introduced in the summertime of 2022. Scott does not like being on this place, however he understands repair it.
“I’ve had plenty of years having a go on the FedEx Cup playoffs, and all these type of issues come to an finish in some unspecified time in the future,” Scott mentioned. “However for positive, I need to win this event, and if I try this I can have a very good run proper by way of to East Lake, I consider.”
A yr in the past, Scott parlayed a tie for fifth in two postseason occasions into a visit to East Lake.
Andrew Novak holed out from off the 18th inexperienced for birdie and a 64. The group at 66 included Thomas Detry and Ludvig Aberg of Sweden, the previous Texas Tech star who topped the checklist on the PGA Tour College rating to earn membership. As a result of he did not flip professional till June, Aberg is No. 146 and must win to advance.
Thomas had a spherical that matched the dreary day of sunshine however regular rain. He had two birdies, two bogeys and the remainder pars, a few of them priceless. However he wants a excessive end — 18th place at a mathematical minimal, although one thing round tenth may be extra secure — to get into the highest 70. He at the moment is at No. 78.
Including to the significance is that Ryder Cup qualifying ends in three extra tournaments, after which six gamers are added as captain’s picks. With none extra tournaments, Zach Johnson may need a tricky time contemplating a participant who has gone 15 months and not using a win.
“I performed high-quality. I did not actually do something nicely, I did not do something terribly,” Thomas mentioned. “After I awoke and checked out it this morning, did not assume I used to be going to be enjoying 16 holes in rain. In order that’s a bummer, particularly within the place that I am in and the scores that I want. However who is aware of what’s going to occur the remainder of the day? I simply want I’d have taken benefit of a pair extra scoring golf equipment.”
Stephen Jaeger, at No. 64 within the standings, had begin to defend his place. He opened with a 67, together with a big group that included Billy Horschel and Brendon Todd.
Many of the gamers who do not attain the postseason can have the autumn to ensure they keep among the many high 125 who’ve full playing cards for 2024.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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