CNN
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Great putts are a big responsibility. “Spider-Man” has returned to his best in the Player Championship.
Columbia’s Camilo Vilgas, nicknamed after his unorthodox Greens websling superhero, was caught up in the early lead’s surprise share in the 51st edition of the 51st edition held in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on Thursday.
The 43-year-old returned several years later to surge with a 6-under 66 opening around the TPC Sawgrass Stadium course.
Less than 19 years ago, his tied third finish in the tournament (a jointly best performance by the PGA Tour rookies at the time in player history) solidified Vilgas’ reputation as an incredible talent.
“The golf course has changed, I have changed, and I think I have more experience,” Villegas told reporters when he returned to the clubhouse.
“I went through some good fights and good, bad moments in my life. In 2006 I was a young kid who graduated from college and there was nothing to lose.”
Four wins on the circuit, including both the BMW Championship and Tour Championship in September 2008, peaked in the seventh season of the world after colluding in 2020 to bring together barren golfers who were seriously considering what the Medellin-born golfer was walking.
That July, Vilgas and his wife, Maria, 22-month-old daughter, Mia, died after a four-month battle with a tumor in the brain and spine. When the golf community gathered around him, Vilgas motivated by the tragedy, and his daughter’s memories burned fuel that “continued the engine,” he told CNN Sports in 2023.
So, after steadily climbing the world rankings, and after his son Mateo was born in 2021, Vilgas waited nine years for his PGA Tour victory with an emotional victory at the Bermuda Championships in November 2023.
But heading into 2025, the Villegas have not been able to register a top 30 finish since that victory. A tied seventh finish at the American Express in January suggested that the University of Florida graduate fired at Ponte Vedra Beach and returned to form before flying off the block with three consecutive early birdies.
The stunning 28-foot putt of par third looked like an eight birdie pick to improve it with a 35-foot tip-in from the sixth hole green, for Vilgas, who started the round from the sixth tee.
“It’s a tricky golf course. You need to keep it playful,” Vilgas said.
“Aggressive and reckless can quickly bring big numbers. You have to avoid them.”
Glover and Spaun keep pace
His career has been a long-term battle with YIPS – involuntary muscle tension in the wrist – 2009 US Open Champion Lucas Glover roars the house with four birdies and grabs the lead’s share.
The 45-year-old is chasing his seventh PGA Tour victory since his two victories in the week of August 2023.
“To be honest, I just don’t want to do it at 45,” Glover, ranked 44th in the world, told reporters. Deeply I still believe I can compete here at 45 and don’t want to stop right away. ”
“I was able to be aggressive and I put a great putt. Whenever you get off on a good start, I give you confidence,” he added.
World No. 57 Spaun carded an impressive bogey-free round to bolster the victory hunt for the second PGA Tour and made it into a trio at the summit.
“Bogey-free is a really good way to start a week anywhere,” said Spawn, 34.
I put the ball in front of me, limited my mistakes, fell up and down when needed, making some good putts.
Villegas will begin their second round on Friday at 8:35am GMT, 8:35am GMT, and 8:35am GMT, while Spaun and Glover will tee off at 8:02am GMT and 1:40pm GMT, respectively.
Two-time champion Rory McIlroy signed off with Birdie and moved to the fifth-floor chasing pack behind the leader with a 5-under par, leaving him two shots ahead of his partner and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Schaeffler, who defended the title a year ago, is chasing an unprecedented third consecutive victory at TPC Sawgrass.
His only bogey in the par-4 10th finished his 40th consecutive bogey-free hole streak in the tournament, but the 28-year-old left himself in a familiar, ominous strike distance, shrugs a tee shot that was typically shanked in bothered style.
“Last year really wasn’t important when it comes to this tournament. It was a new four rounds and 72 holes, and we got off to a good start today,” Schaeffler said.
“I feel like I’ve been able to post a bit of a good number, but overall I’m happy with the results. I’ve done some good things.
American Calpatriot Max McGreevy joins McIlroy and Co. With five under par, there are two remaining holes in his final round. He is one of several golfers who hadn’t finished the round before play was interrupted due to the darkness, and will complete them on Friday.
Scheffler, McIlroy and World No. 3 Xander Schauffele opened at a uniform 72, but starts at 10 tees at 8:24am (12:24pm GMT).
