Scott Verplank took a pretty low set of expectations to the Transitions Championship, his first start on the PGA Tour since wrist surgery last September.
‘I’m not 100 percent and I’m not even sure I should be out here,’ he said on the practice range Wednesday,’ but at some point, you’ve gotta go out and give it a try.
Try he did, although Verplank certainly was hoping to launch his comeback with something better than a 4-over 75. Only nine players in the field shot higher, including Masters champ Charl Schwartzel, who carded a seven and a six on his first five holes and came in at 76.
On the other end of things, 2010 Transitions champ Jim Furyk, coming off the worst full season of his career, picked up two early birdies Thursday to augment his opening 5 under. At 7 under overall, Furyk has cut Padraig Harrington’s huge early lead to three. The Irishman doesn’t tee off until shortly after 1 p.m. ET Friday.