Two Veterans Set Pace in Wells Fargo Championship


Angel Cabrera fired a 6-under 66 to take the opening-round lead in the Wells Fargo Championship. The $6.9 million PGA Tour event began Thursday at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.

Cabrera, a two-time major champion, carded four birdies and a bogey on the front nine before tacking on three more birdies on the home half. The 44-year-old Argentine is a stroke ahead of another multiple major winner, Phil Mickelson, and Martin Flores.

"It was a very good first round, and we have a lot to go," Cabrera told reporters through a translator.

Two shots out of the lead are Jonathan Byrd, Stewart Cink and Webb Simpson. Simpson, who lives in Charlotte and plays a lot at Quail Hollow, posted seven birdies, a bogey and a double on the par-4 ninth for his 4-under score.

Tied for seventh after 69s are Shawn Stefani, Vijay Singh, Martin Kaymer, Kevin Na, Charles Howell III, Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Rose and Martin Laird.

Singh, Kaymer, McIlroy and Rose have all won major championships. McIlroy secured his first PGA Tour victory when he won the tournament in 2010.

Kaymer's round was highlighted by two eagles in a row on the par-5 seventh and par-4 eighth. His eagle on the eighth came after he chipped in from off the green.

"Two eagles in a row, pretty rare. I don't think I've ever done that before," said the 29-year-old German, who also had three bogeys and two birdies. "I missed a lot of short putts today as well, so therefore, 3-under par is okay.

"I stayed in the tournament. But overall, it would have been nice to get a couple more shots here and there because it was possible."

Defending champion Derek Ernst opened with a 1-over 73. Rickie Fowler, the winner in 2012, had a 74.

Seung-Yul Noh, who logged his first PGA Tour win in last week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, opened with a 76.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.