Northern Bear Golf Club | Sherwood Park, Alberta | June 27-30, 2024
First-Round Notes – June 27, 2024
PGA TOUR Americas 2024 Season: 8th of 16 events
North America Swing: 2nd of 10 events
Fortinet Cup Points: 500 (winner)
Purse: $225,000 ($40,500 winner)
First-Round Leaders
T1 Clay Feagler (United States) -7
T1 Karl Vilips (Australia) -7
T3 Tommy Cocha (Argentina) -6
T3 Sandy Scott (Scotland) -6
T5 Five Players Tied -5
SHERWOOD PARK, Alberta – On a day marked by scattered showers and gusty winds, Clay Feagler and Karl Vilips emerged as co-leaders, each carding impressive rounds of 7-under at Northern Bear Golf Club. Argentinian Tommy Cocha and Scotland’s Sandy Scott trail closely, both tied for third at 6-under after the first round.
Clay Feagler’s Journey
Feagler, who clinched his first professional win at the Bupa Championship in Tulum, has maintained strong form throughout the season. His victory there granted him exempt status for the rest of the season, solidifying his place in the top tier of the Fortinet Cup Points List.
Feagler, a Pepperdine alum, has consistently performed well, finishing solo third at the Beachlands Victoria Open. His rise in the rankings is a testament to his skill and determination.
Karl Vilips’ Breakthrough
Making his professional debut just last week, Karl Vilips has quickly made a name for himself. Despite challenging weather conditions, Vilips managed to stay focused and delivered a flawless round, hitting nearly 89% of Greens in Regulation. His collegiate career at Stanford, highlighted by a win at the Pac-12 Individual Conference Championship, has set a solid foundation for his professional journey.
Reflecting on his approach to the inclement weather, Vilips said, “I think it’s more of a mental thing. I go out here, I know the weather’s bad but I just try to think of it as a normal day… Nothing should change too much, and I just try to play a normal round of golf out there.”
Competition Insights
- Course Setup: Par 72 / 7,352 yards; Round 1 average: 74.50
- Weather: Scattered showers, high of 61°F, wind from the southeast at 9-17 mph, gusts up to 32 mph.
- Notable Performances:
- Feagler and Frederik Kjettrup led the field in Greens in Regulation, hitting 94.44%.
- Six countries are represented in the top five and ties, showcasing the international nature of the competition.
- Tommy Cocha is the leading Latin American player after the first round, having secured his spot through Monday Qualifiers.
- Brendan MacDougall stands as the top Canadian player, tied for fifth at 5-under.
As the tournament progresses, the diverse and competitive field promises exciting rounds ahead. Stay tuned for more updates as the ATB Classic unfolds at Northern Bear Golf Club.
