Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Min Woo Lee has given himself a chance to gain some sweet revenge, sitting only four shots behind a familiar foe after the opening round of the Baycurrent Classic in Japan.
Fresh off some excellent performances for the Internationals at the recent Presidents Cup thriller against the victorious USA side, the Australian carded a four-under 67 in Yokohama on Thursday.
The flamboyant 28-year-old had six birdies, including five in a sizzling front nine, offset by two bogeys, to hold a share of 12th place after carding a 67.
Lee is four shots behind a player quickly becoming his nemesis, in-form American Jacob Bridgeman, who also had five birdies on the front nine on his way to a bogey-free eight-under 63.
The Australian, nicknamed The Chef for being able to cook up some outrageous shots, is painfully aware of the danger presented by the 26-year-old American.
At the Presidents Cup in Illinois in September, Bridgeman was named as a captain’s pick by USA mentor Brandt Snedeker and played a crucial role in the team’s comeback victory over the Internationals.
During the final day’s singles matches, Bridgeman beat Lee 1-up on the 18th hole to clinch the winning point and secure the 17-13 victory for Team USA.
It has been an incredible year for Bridgeman, who also won twice on the US PGA Tour – at the Genesis Invitational in February, and the Biltmore Championship in September, when he fired a 10-under 61 in the final round to claim victory.
In Yokohama on Thursday, Bridgeman’s 63 gave him a one-shot lead over Englishman Jordan Smith, who was also bogey-free in his seven-under 64.
Australia’s other entrant, veteran Adam Scott, is also right in the mix, sharing 26th place after a two-under-par 69 on Thursday.
The 46-year-old, who also represented the Internationals at the Presidents Cup, had four birdies and two bogeys in his opening round.
The Baycurrent Classic, formerly known as the Zozo Championship, is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the Japan Golf Tour.
