Dahmen takes charge; Hoey off to solid start

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Joel Dahmen, fighting to make the season-ending playoffs, fired a nine-under par 61 on Thursday to seize a one-shot lead in the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina.

Dahmen arrived at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro ranked 101st in the tour’s FedEx Cup standings. The top 70 advance to the playoffs that start next week with the St. Jude Championship.

Dahmen attacked the challenge with 10 birdies, including three in a row to cap his round at the seventh, eighth and ninth.

“I don’t know if you ever see 61 coming, but I saw good golf coming,” Dahmen said, pointing to a stretch of some 45 holes without a bogey last week.

A victory would move Dahmen into 48th place in the FedEx Cup standings, although the 37-year-old — who has one win on his resume — was quick to note there was a lot of golf left to be played.

“The playoffs are a bonus for me,” he said. “I’m just going to go out and try to play good golf and I guess if I play really well then I get to play another week.”

Dahmen had a one-stroke lead over Sweden’s Alex Noren, whose eight-under round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-five fifth hole.

England’s Aaron Rai, Colombian Nico Echavarria and Americans Mark Hubbard and Cameron Young were tied for third on seven-under.

Filipino-American golfer Rico Hoey got off to a steady start at the Wyndham Championship, carding a 3-under-par 69 in Thursday’s opening round of the PGA TOUR’s final regular-season event at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Hoey, who’s aiming to climb the FedExCup standings and secure his PGA TOUR card for next season, navigated the course with a composed round that included five birdies against two bogeys.

Starting on the back nine, Hoey found his rhythm early with birdies on the par-4 10th, par-5 15th, and par-3 16th, making the turn at 33. He kept the momentum going on the front nine, highlighted by a birdie-birdie run on Holes 6 and 7 to post a 34.

He finished with a 69, three-under-par for the day — 34 on the front and 33 on the back.

The 28-year-old is one of several players fighting for crucial points in this make-or-break event that wraps up the PGA TOUR’s regular season.

A strong finish could be pivotal for Hoey, who’s seeking to improve his status and lock in a spot for the FedExCup Playoffs.

Known for his calm demeanor and powerful ball-striking, Hoey will look to build on this solid opening round as he heads into Friday’s second round.