LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Charlie Wi had two goals this week – crack the top 30 on the PGA Tour money list to earn his first trip to The Masters and scorch the Palm Course on Day 1.
Check and check.
Wi roared out to an opening nine of 30, which featured just nine putts, on his way to a first-round 64 and a one-stroke lead at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic on Thursday.
“I knew the Palm Course is the course where you need to score,” said Wi, who leads Tommy Gainey and Camilo Villegas by a stroke.
As for that maiden ride down Magnolia Lane he is currently projected 29th in earnings after starting the week 45th.
For the record Wi kept any other milestones in check on a cool, breezy day at Walt Disney World, like winning his first Tour title or even shooting a 59 despite his blistering start.
“I never think about 59,” said Wi, whose game started clicking after playing in K.J. Choi’s event last month in Korea. “On a par-72 (course) it is really difficult to think about that.”