MARTIN LAIRD, STEPHEN GALLACHER CONTRASTING FORTUNES

Camilo Villegas takes first-round lead at Wyndham Championship

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Camilo Villegas: On course for FedExCup play-offs

Camilo Villegas made a welcome return to form as he earned the first-round lead at the Wyndham Championship after a flawless opening 63.

First round leaderboard

(USA unless stated, par 70):
-7 Camilo Villegas (Col)
-6 William McGirt
-6 Webb Simpson
-5 Paul Casey (Eng)
-5 Scott Langley
-5 Martin Laird (Sco)
-5 Heath Slocum, Andrew Loupe

The big-hitting Colombian found conditions at the Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro to his liking as he carded five birdies and one eagle to finish the opening day with a one-shot lead.
The 32-year-old, who regained his full PGA Tour card last season, now looks assured to have cemented his place in the lucrative FedExCup play-offs having started the week ranked 105th.
He started with a birdie at the 10th and picked up further shots at 13 and 15 before finishing with a flourish.
Villegas birdied the fourth and then converted a superb approach to three feet for an eagle at the next, and he rolled in a 15-foot putt for a two at the seventh before parring in.
The three-time PGA Tour winner, yet to record a top-10 finish this season, holds a narrow advantage over William McGirt and former US Open champion Webb Simpson.
McGirt mixed eight birdies with two bogeys, while Simpson gave US Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson a timely reminder of his abilities as he raced out of the blocks with birdies at his opening four holes.
Simpson, a leading candidate to earn a captain’s pick for next month’s showpiece at Gleneagles, reached seven under at the 15th, but he relinquished a share of the lead with his first error of the day at 17.
Meanwhile, Martin Laird and Paul Casey boosted their chances of teeing up in next week’s FedExCup play-off opener as both opening with five-under 65s.
Casey currently holds the 125th and final place in the standings, while Laird is 136th and needs a decent cheque to extend his season.
Casey kept a bogey off his five-birdie card, and Laird managed an eagle, four birdies and blotted his round only once at the sixth.
But Laird’s fellow Scot Stephen Gallacher, who is currently on the fringes of Paul McGinley’s European Ryder Cup team, laboured to an erratic one-over 71 while Padraig Harrington is a shot further back.

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