Zackheim starts strong at Buick

Opening 70 leaves young gun t53rd after day 1

            Cromwell, CT-Faced with the pressure of competing in his first ever PGA Tour event, Eli Zackheim kept his nerves in check all day long en route to an even par 70 in the first round of the Buick Championship at The TPC of River Highlands.

            Zackheim, who made a 20 foot birdie putt on the final hole in Monday’s qualifier just to get into the event, began his day on an upswing with a birdie on the par 4, 1^st hole.

            After another birdie at the par 5, 6^th hole to get to 2-under, Zackheim then recorded bogeys on the par 3, 8^th and 16^th holes on his way to carding one of 16 even par rounds.

            Although Zackheim is a distant eight shots behind leader Corey Pavin, he does have a realistic chance of advancing to the weekend, and currently stands tied for 53^rd place.

            The projected cut after day one is expected to be 2-over par.