Ace High for MacKenzie as He Ties Svoboda for Lead at McGladrey Classic


Andrew Svoboda and Will MacKenzie have taken over the lead in the McGladrey Classic. The $5.6 million PGA Tour event got underway Thursday on the Seaside Course at Sea Island, Ga.

Svoboda, a 35-year-old New Yorker, fired a 4-under 66 that included six birdies and a double-bogey on the par-4 11th. The 65 by the 40-year-old MacKenzie was propelled by a hole-in-one. The North Carolinian added four more birdies - and a bogey - to match Svoboda at 12-under 198.

MacKenzie's ace on the 174-yard sixth hole came when his tee shot slammed into the pin and stayed in the cup. He didn't immediately realize the ball found the hole. It was his third ace on the PGA Tour.

Trailing by one is 36-hole leader, Russell Henley, who carded a 68, while three back are Stewart Cink, who posted Saturday's low round of 63, Andrew Putnam (66), Argentina's Fabian Gomez (68), Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge (69) and defending champion Chris Kirk.

Were it not for MacKenzie's heroics Kirk would have earned shot-of-the-day honors when he holed out for eagle from 115 yards on the par-4 eighth en route to a 66.

Tied for ninth at 8-under 202 are Ken Duke (66), Scott Piercy (68) and Mark Wilson (69).

Ben Martin, the winner in last week's Shriners Hospital for Children Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, had a 65 to join seven others - Kevin Kisner, Hudson Swafford, Rory Sabbatini, Michael Thompson, Cameron Tringale, William McGirt and Robert Streb - in a tie for 12th at 203.

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