Round 1: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

May 19 2011

2:13 pm

Familiarity breeds success for Pampling

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM

Australians and Texas seem to mix quite well. Case in point: Rod Pampling.

In 2008, Pampling tied for second at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Thursday, he shot a 5-under 65 to sit near the top of the leaderboard.

What is it about Colonial that seems to suit Pampling, who also lives in the area, so well?

“You got to think your way around,” Pampling said. “I get to play here a lot as well. I feel comfortable here. You get a pretty good read on the greens. It’s another good week.”

That was evident from the 16 greens in regulation the Aussie hit.

“It’s just a golf course you got to be smarter at,” Pampling said. “It doesn’t take driver on every hole. You got to work your way around. We grew up playing these. It’s not like the course where you get up and smash it.”