Chalmers uses "Bubba-ish" lefty hook to make eagle

• By Ryan Ballengee
• Apr 27, 2012 2:50 PM ET

AVONDALE, La. – Greg Chalmers began his second round at the Zurich Classic on Friday by doing his best Bubba Watson impression.

Chalmers hit a 30-yard hook with a wedge from the trees on the right side of the par-4 first for an eagle from 145 yards.

"We mentioned that hitting a hook as a left-hander wasn't that hard, but I wasn't trying to win the Masters at the time," Chalmers said jokingly after his round.

The eagle – the first ever recorded at the hole in the tournament – was the beginning of a 5-under start through his first four holes. The Aussie southpaw went on to tie the TPC Louisiana course record with 8-under 64.

"When you start getting away with things like that, you start to really think it's going to be your day and I rode it most of the day," he said.

Chalmers was also fortunate with his poor shots, hitting two balls into hazards at Nos. 9 and 17 – both par-3 holes – but salvaging bogeys at both.

A theme through the day, the Aussie bounced back with an easy birdie at the closing par 5.

"You're going to make some mistakes, so you've got to be able to dig deep and pick up a birdie. I did that today and if I continue to do that, it'll be great," he said.

With top-10 finishes here in each of the last two years, Chalmers would seem to like the place. 

"I just feel good when I come here. There's other places where I go and feel good and I miss the cut every year," he said. "I come here expecting to do well and it seems to fit my eye."