Golf-Fit Immelman rediscovers form at The Greenbrier

NEW YORK, July 28 (Reuters) - Former Masters champion Trevor Immelman has had very little to enjoy on the golf course in the last three years but all that changed in Thursday’s opening round of the Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia.

The South African, who has struggled for fitness and consistency since having surgery on his left wrist in 2009, delivered a superb display of ball-striking on the way to a six-under-par 64 at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.

Repeatedly peppering the flags with pinpoint approach shots, Immelman racked up seven birdies and a lone bogey to take the early lead, one shot ahead of Americans Billy Mayfair, Derek Lamely and Webb Simpson, and Australia’s Steve Bowditch.

Canada’s David Hearn and American Chris Di Marco opened with 66s while world number six Phil Mickelson was frustrated after carding an erratic even-par 70.

Immelman, who won his first major at the 2008 Masters, was delighted to regain form at The Greenbrier after months of struggle and four missed cuts in his last six PGA Tour starts.

“Obviously I’m excited with the 64 today,” the 31-year-old told reporters. “Any time you shoot a number like that it’s exciting. That’s why you put all the hard work in.

“It’s been a frustrating couple of years not being able to swing the way I want to swing and practise the way I want to practise.”

A medium-length hitter renowned for his ball-striking and course management, Immelman had wrist surgery in October of 2009 after suffering from tendinitis for much of that season.

He missed 10 of 19 cuts on the 2010 PGA Tour as he slowly worked his way back but was greatly encouraged by his all-round health coming into this year.

GOOD SIGNS

“My wrist has been pretty good,” he said. “It hasn’t bothered me at all so I’ve been able to get back to some of the stuff I used to do four or five years ago. I’ve seen some signs of good play and some good shots at the right time.”

Four-times major winner Mickelson, playing alongside Tom Watson and defending champion Stuart Appleby, was not pleased with his 70.

“It was a disappointing overall score for me, because I played well enough to score low,” the left-hander said after offsetting five birdies with five bogeys. “I missed six putts inside six feet, and I just can’t do that.”

The 61-year-old Watson opened with a 75 while Australian Appleby, who triumphed by one shot last year after closing with a scintillating 11-under-par 59, returned a 71.

“Very different golf course and my score was very different,” said Appleby, referring to his record-equalling finish last year. “It’s a lot more difficult, a lot longer.

“Playing with two legends—who are both still growing their legendary status - was fantastic,” Appleby added with a smile. “I was definitely the third wheel out there.”