Jan. 14, 2011
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Five alumni of the Texas A&M golf program will take to the links this weekend in the PGA Tour's season-opening, $5.5 million Sony Open at Honolulu's Waialae Country Club.
Defending champion Ryan Palmer (Class of 2000) leads the Aggie contingent into the event. Palmer fired a 15-under 265 last season to capture the third Tour victory of his career.
Joining Palmer are tour veterans Jeff Maggert (A&M All-American, 1986) and Shane Bertsch (Class of '94). In addition, rookies Bobby Gates (Class of '08) and Martin Piller (Class of '08) will be making their PGA Tour debuts this weekend after earning their cards with a strong showing on the Nationwide Tour last year.
"We are proud of all our former players and wish them all the best of luck this season," head coach J.T. Higgins said. "Obviously, we are thrilled to watch Martin & Bobby begin their careers on the PGA Tour. It is exciting to see Aggie Golfers make their mark on Tour - it is just the start of great things to come."
The Golf Channel will provide live coverage all weekend beginning each day at 6 p.m. Central (2 p.m. Hawai'i time). Sirius XM Radio will cover the Sony Open each day from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Central time.
The opening round of the Sony Open was washed out Thursday because of heavy overnight rain that left too much water on Waialae Country Club. Some fairways and bunkers were impossible to play.
Tour officials say the first two rounds will be played Friday and Saturday, with 36 holes played Sunday. The cut will be nearest to 60 players, although everyone in the top 70 will get credit for a cut and get paid.
Of note, Piller married LPGA rookie Gerina Mendoza this past weekend. The couple joins a short list of husband-wife couples who have played simultaneously on the PGA and LPGA Tours, including Bobby Cole and Laura Baugh, Allen Miller and Cindy Kessler, and Frank Beard and Susie O'Connor.