It wasn't quite a perfect 10, but Mike Weir had few complaints after a 10-under-par 62 in the first round at the PGA Tour's Genuity Championship at Doral today.
Canadian Weir recorded the lowest round of his career on tour to open a four-stroke lead over American Glen Day with half the field back in the clubhouse at Doral Resort's Blue Monster course.
American Steve Flesch and South Korean K.J. Choi shot 65, while South African Ernie Els, Australian Robert Allenby and American Andy Bean carded 66s on a morning of low scoring in ideal conditions.
Weir made a confidence-boosting start with a 15-foot birdie at the par-5 first, then really got his round going by holing out with a 9-iron from the rough from 140 yards for eagle at the par-4 third.
"I am not known as a fast starter," said Weir. "The birdie putt on the first hole got me into a rhythm with my putter.
That seemed to set the tone for the day.
"I felt comfortable on the greens. The putter was really hot. That was the key."
Weir got to seven-under when he eagled the par-5 eighth, and when he turned in 29 strokes, thoughts of breaking 60 entered his mind.
However, when he failed to birdie the par-5 10th his task suddenly loomed a lot larger, and in the end he had to settle for three birdies on the inward half.
Weir, 30, whose performances over the past two years have elevated him to superstar status in Canada, broke through for his first victory on tour in 1999.
His victory in last November's American Express Championship in Spain really stamped him as a world class player. "That win gave me a lot more confidence, because the players (I beat) are the guys that will be there for the next few years contending in major championships," he said.
Meanwhile, Greg Norman, a three-time winner at Doral, withdrew after falling ill overnight. Norman’s misfortune means Ireland’s Richie Coughlan earned a place in the starting line-up.
The 26-year-old Birr man has, himself, been struggling with a chest injury, but nevertheless managed to shoot a level par 72 in his opening round.
Norman began feeling sluggish during yesterday’s pro-am, and his condition deteriorated overnight to the extent that he had to pull out.