Stricker tops first-round leaderboard
Tournament host Steve Stricker capitalized on a fast start to shoot an eight-under-par 64 and take the first-round lead Friday in the PGA TOUR Champions American Family Insurance Championship.
Stricker, seeking his third PGA TOUR Champions win this year, birdied his first two holes on the University Ridge Golf Course and finished with nine birdies for the round. His sole bogey was on the 9th hole.
He finished with a one-stroke lead over Brad Bryant and three strokes ahead of John Daly, Steve Flesch and Colin Montgomerie. Madison’s Jerry Kelly and World Golf Hall of Famer Bernhard Langer are in a group of 10 players who are four shots back.
“There's only three rounds (to PGA TOUR Champions events), so you need to have a do-it-every-day kind of attitude,” Stricker said. “I did well today, and I've got to do the same thing tomorrow, and just keep doing what I'm doing. Just keep putting the ball in play and giving myself opportunities.”
Second-round play of the American Family Insurance Championship begins at 9 a.m. (CT) Saturday, with players starting on the first and 10th tees.
Saturday will also feature the championship’s celebrity foursome with Brett Favre, Derek Jeter, Andy North and Lee Trevino. The group will play a 9-hole scramble, starting on the 10th hole at approximately 1:30 p.m., following the final tournament group for the day.
First-round notes from PGA TOUR Champions
Public parking update
UPDATE 9:45 A.M. SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - ALL FAN PARKING WILL NOW BE AT EPIC (FOLLOW SIGNAGET TO PARKING). VERONA SCHOOLS ARE FULL.
Due to soggy conditions, free public parking will continue at off-site locations Saturday. Fans will be shuttled free, to the championship’s front entrance. Off-site parking will begin at Verona High School at 300 Richard Street, Verona, and Badger Ridge Middle School at 740 N. Main Street, Verona. When those lots are full, fans will be diverted to other locations including Epic, Verona, Redden Soccer Complex and West Madison Bible Church. Electronic signs will provide directions. Free shuttle service will begin at 5:30 a.m., with tournament gates opening at 7 a.m., and continue for the entire day. Public parking plans for Sunday will be determined Saturday afternoon. Off-site parking plans will also continue for volunteers. Sponsors, caddies and media will park on site in their normal locations.
