John Smoltz Targets 1st American Century Title by Fixing Slow Starts at 59
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 6
John Smoltz Targets 1st American Century Title by Fixing Slow Starts at 59
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 6
Summary
59-year-old John Smoltz said his path to winning the American Century Championship is starting faster, after conservative opening rounds repeatedly left him chasing the lead.
The modified Stableford format rewards birdies with 3 points but pars with just 1, a gap Smoltz said has punished his tendency to pile up pars early.
Second place last year underscored the issue: Smoltz said he made seven or eight birdies in the final round but still could not catch winner Joe Pavelski.
Two new hips and other procedures have left Smoltz saying his game is in its best place, with another U.S. Senior Open qualification bid also in view.
July 10-12 at Lake Tahoe, the celebrity event returns to Edgewood Golf Course; Smoltz called it a must-play tournament that has raised more than $8 million for charity.