Dylan Frittelli finds himself in the mix after round one at the inaugural Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit after a heavy metal round on Thursday.
The PGA TOUR rookie, although no stranger to US courses after a stellar college career, acquitted himself well around the North course at Detroit Golf Club to sit three back.
It was nearly just two back but for a final hole three-putt.
Despite hitting just seven of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens in regulation, Frittelli was able to make the turn five under without a bogey on his card. Backed a birdie inside 10 feet on the first, his short game skills were on display as he set up a short-range birdie on the fourth before chipping in on the fifth.
Another solid chip handed him his third straight birdie as he flew up the leaderboard. His back nine was a little more sedate with a 23-foot birdie on 12 and a two-putt birdie on 14 his ‘only’ gains before his late stumble.
At the top of the pile is Nate Lashley after a blistering 63 with Americans Nick Watney and Ryan Armour sharing second at -8.
Rory Sabbatini, Stewart Cink, Chase Wright, Adam Schenk, Chez Reavie, Talor Gooch, and Charles Howell III are tied for fourth at -7.
Countryman Ernie Els is likely to extend his missed cut streak after an opening 75 left him in a share of 148th place.
