This week’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship venue, Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, is presenting a stern test for the 125 player-field. It was especially difficult for the morning wave, when wind and rain gusted to 40 mph and only six players managed to break par.
By the time play was called for darkness on Thursday, a small portion of the field still had holes remaining, and only 33 had managed rounds under par.
That made the day’s lowest round of six-under 65, posted by both Brandon Hagy and Chad Ramey, look even more impressive. So how did they get it done?
“My mindset was just trying to hit solid balls and stay down and try and stay composed on the greens, try to keep a solid strike on it,” Hagy said after his round. “You know you’re going to get some gusts, some situations where you’re going to miss it. Like on my seventh hole there I had like a two-and-a-half-footer and got gusted as I’m putting it. That stuff’s going to happen. You’re just going to have to decide before the round that everyone’s dealing with it and try the best you can.”
Ramey concurred.
“It was a grind out there,” he said. “I didn’t hit the ball great, but I kept the ball in position very well, and then I made a couple of par putts that kind of kept the momentum going.”
Holed putts were plentiful for Hagy, who made five birdies in his first nine holes, and a total of nine for the day. But he also made a double and a bogey.
“I think there’s going to be some times where you get gusts and the ball doesn’t go in,” he said “But you kind of have to keep your head down and keep trying to hit some good shots.”
Wise words for all golfers, whether you’re playing in the wind or not.
