FORT WORTH, Texas — PGA Tour rookie and “die-hard” New York Knicks fan John Pak used his frustration to his benefit Thursday, capturing a 7-under 63 to steer the Charles Schwab Problem at Colonial.
The New Jersey-raised Pak discovered all of the motivation he wanted when his Knicks blew a 14-point lead within the ultimate three minutes of a 138-135 loss to the Indiana Pacers in Sport 1 of the NBA’s Jap Convention finals on Wednesday night time.
“I am a die-hard Knicks fan, and that was traditionally one of many worst losses I’ve ever seen in my life,” mentioned Pak, who has one top-25 end amongst seven made cuts in 12 occasions this yr. “There was a fireplace lit beneath me, yeah, this morning. I used to be somewhat pissed off about that.”
Beginning on the par-4 tenth, Pak holed a 147-yard strategy for eagle. He added 5 birdies in a bogey-free spherical. The 26-year-old Korn Ferry Tour graduate, and one-time winner on the PGA Tour Canada, is the fifth rookie to carry a first-round lead in a person occasion this yr.
He has a three-shot lead over 9 gamers, with J.J. Spaun the highest-ranked amongst them at twenty seventh. Tommy Fleetwood and 2023 Open Championship winner Brian Harman had been amongst a bunch of 9 gamers 4 again of Pak.
Now that he has the lead, what are Pak’s plans for Thursday night time?
“Fortunately the Knicks aren’t taking part in tonight, so I will not be burdened about that,” Pak mentioned. “I did not sleep properly after that loss final night time. I will get well, do some stretching, after which possibly watch the Thunder recreation later tonight.”
Among the many 15 gamers who’re 5 photographs again is world No. 1 and Dallas resident Scottie Scheffler, whose playoff expertise as a fan went a lot better than Pak’s did.
Scheffler, coming off a win on the PGA Championship, spent his Wednesday night at American Airways Middle, cheering on the Dallas Stars‘ 6-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Sport 1 of the NHL’s Western Convention finals.
“It was enjoyable going to the hockey recreation final night time,” mentioned Scheffler, who may have an early tee time Friday. “I used to be in a position to nonetheless get dwelling and get an honest quantity of relaxation.”
Scheffler additionally opened up his first spherical with aptitude, holing a putt for eagle from off the inexperienced on the par-5 first gap and a 23-footer for birdie on No. 2. He’s going for a sweep of the PGA Tour occasions within the Dallas-Fort Price space after profitable three weeks in the past on the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, which he led wire to wire for an eight-shot victory whereas tying the tour scoring report of 253.
“On a day the place I did not hit a variety of fairways on a golf course the place you must hit a variety of fairways, I posted an honest rating,” Scheffler mentioned. “Something beneath par round right here in these circumstances is not a nasty rating. Clearly, I want it was somewhat bit decrease, however general I really feel first rate in regards to the place I am in.”
Jordan Spieth, Scheffler’s fellow hometown favourite, shot 69 with birdies on two of his ultimate 4 holes on the comfortable course made well-known by Ben Hogan, the one participant to win Colonial in consecutive years (1946-47 and 1952-53).
Joel Dahmen made a hole-in-one on the 186-yard thirteenth when his tee shot stopped about 25 toes behind the opening, spun again and went in. The 37-year-old’s first profession ace was adopted by seven bogeys as he shot 74.
“9 years out right here, that is a variety of par-3 makes an attempt,” Dahmen mentioned. “Lots have seemed good, and to lastly go in was fairly cool.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
