Rogers Charity Classic: Past success stories among early frontrunners

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Miguel Angel Jimenez owns a share of the course record at Canyon Meadows.

Scott McCarron and Wes Short Jr. have their names engraved on the tournament trophy.

While none of the three arrived in Calgary on a hot streak, it’s hardly a surprise to see these gents near the top of the leaderboard after Friday’s first round of the 2024 Rogers Charity Classic.

“I have a lot of good memories here,” said McCarron, who won back-to-back titles at Canyon Meadows in 2017-18 and was the runner-up to Short as he tried for a three-peat in 2019. “But that doesn’t always relate to playing good golf. I wish it did.”

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It did Friday, for several of ’em.

Scott Parel set the pace on a soggy opening day at Calgary’s annual PGA Tour Champions showdown, riding a hot putter to a spin of 7-under 63.

McCarron, Short and Mario Tiziani are sharing the second slot on the leaderboard at 6-under 64. Jimenez nearly joined them, only to watch his birdie putt on No. 18 slide just past the hole. The 60-year-old Spaniard could hardly believe his eyes.

“The hole was moving there, you know?” Jimenez joked after a 5-under 65 that leaves him tied with Steven Alker, Padraig Harrington, Boo Weekley and others. “When the hole is moving, it’s not easy.”

Saturday will be moving day at Canyon Meadows.

With three dozen players within four strokes of the lead, a lot of guys will show up knowing that they’re still in the hunt.

“I like the golf course. I like the place. I feel confident in this place,” said Jimenez, whose history at Canyon Meadows includes a record rip of 9-under 61 in 2015 and a pair of top-5 placings. “And when you feel good, normally good things happen.”

These gents have been waiting for something great to happen.

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Jimenez has gone two years without a victory. After winning nine times in a four-season span, that probably feels like an eternity.

While McCarron’s resume shows 11 career titles on PGA Tour Champions, his best result in 2024 is a tie for 22nd. Prior to Friday, the 59-year-old he hadn’t fired a score in the 60s since June.

Short, 60, had finished over-par in five of his past six starts.

“This year has not been good at all for me. It’s been frustrating,” said McCarron, all smiles after sinking a 50-footer for eagle on Friday’s final assignment. “But I know I can play well. And when I start playing a little bit better, the confidence starts coming back.

“Today, the more the round went on, the more confident I felt. So that’s a good sign.”

Maybe not for the rest of the field.

Because the senior sharpshooters will tell you that those good memories can be a bit of a secret weapon when you’re trying to win a golf tournament.

“You always try to forget them bad ones,” Short said in his Texas drawl. “I think it helps your confidence a lot. I know I won here in 2019, but I also have had some good finishes. I like the golf course. It sets up well for me.

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“I can’t speak for everybody, but I look forward to coming to this tournament all the time.”

McCarron feels the same way — and then some.

In six previous visits, he has earned almost a million bucks on the tree-lined fairways at Canyon Meadows. He has a few favourite restaurants in the downtown core. Earlier this week, he and his wife Jenny played a round at scenic Stewart Creek in Canmore.

“I like coming up here to Canada. I love Calgary,” McCarron beamed. “It’s just fun being back here. I’ve got good feelings and obviously today I played well, which was nice.”

CHIP SHOTS: Saturday’s second-round tee-times run from 10:15 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Action will be followed immediately by the Rogers Legends of Hockey, a charity shootout that features a lineup of stars from both the NHL and PWHL, including Flames goalie Dustin Wolf and four other netminders … Parel circled seven birdies and didn’t have a single bogey on his opening lap. “I haven’t had many 63s in a long time,” said the 59-year-old from iconic Augusta, Ga. “I putted really well today. I’ve hit the ball much better in other rounds, but didn’t make putts like I did today.” … Hoping to put an exclamation point on a solid round with an eagle opportunity on No. 18, fan fave John Daly splashed an aggressive approach into the water hazard and settled for a 3-under 67 … Stephen Ames, a former Calgary resident and one of the hottest players on PGA Tour Champions over the past two seasons, also signed for 67 … Steve Blake, the lone local in the field and an inspiring story as he continues treatment for Stage 4 lung cancer, opened with a 9-over 79. He did drain a birdie on No. 18, giving his family and friends reason to roar.

wgilbertson@postmedia.com

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