Villegas leads BMW Championship

Golf Betting Lines

09/05/2008 - St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Camilo Villegas fired a five-under 65 on Friday to finally take the first-round lead of the BMW Championship, the third FedEx Cup Playoff event.

Newly selected United States Ryder Cupper Steve Stricker, teammate Kenny Perry, Tim Herron, Andres Romero and Stuart Appleby are knotted in second place at minus-four at Bellerive

The first round was completed on Friday after all action was postponed on Thursday thanks to heavy storms from Hurricane Gustav. Bellerive Golf Club took on quite a bit of water, but the players raved about the conditions.

"I think the greens keepers and the rules officials are really doing a hell of a job," said Ernie Els, who is tied for 12th at two-under 68. "The course is in really playable shape."

Friday was fine for the players, but Saturday will be a different story.

Thirty-six holes await the field in an effort to catch up from Thursday's wash out.

Since the field is reduced to low 70 in FedEx Cup Playoff Points (actually 69 without the injured Tiger Woods, last year's winner), there is no cut. The players were re-paired after the first round, but won't be after the second round on Saturday.

"I think it's fair," said Villegas. "We all had a chance to play one round and put ourselves in position for the tournament. Get a good night of rest and come back with a good attitude."

Villegas wasted little time in breaking into red figures. Villegas birdied the first hole and got to three-under par with birdies at the fifth and sixth holes.

He kept his strong play going thanks to a spectacular approach at seven. Villegas hit a nine-iron inside a foot and tapped in for a third birdie in a row. He made it four straight with another short birdie putt at the par-five eighth.

Things went downhill a bit from there.

Villegas made a silly bogey from the fairway at the ninth, then hit a terrible drive that cost him another stroke at No. 10. Villegas got one stroke back with a great nine-iron shot from a fairway bunker at the 11th. That birdie at 11 got Villegas to four-under par for the championship.

At the 14th, Villegas hit yet another strong nine-iron shot, this time knocking his approach to 16 feet. He drained that birdie putt and two holes later sank a 25-footer for birdie to get to minus-six.

Unfortunately for Villegas, he did not stay at the number long. At the last, Villegas two-putted for bogey from six feet.

Despite the bogey, Villegas is still in front in his quest for a first PGA Tour victory.

"I hit it great off the tee," said Villegas. "That's key because the rough is so wet. You don't get a very good lie. You have to put the ball in play. It makes it a lot easier because the greens are soft."

Tim Clark, Chez Reavie, Brian Gay, Fredrik Jacobson and Dudley Hart are tied for seventh place at three-under 67.

Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia are part of the large group tied with Els at minus-two.

Vijay Singh won both of the first two FedEx Cup Playoff events and his lead over Garcia is over 12,000 points. On Thursday, Singh shot an even-par 70 and he is tied for 37th place.