BELLEVUE — Ryan Benzel of Bothell, a teaching professional at Marysville’s Battle Creek Golf Course, fired a 7-under-par 64 on Monday to take the first-round lead at the 84th Washington Open golf tournament at Glendale Country Club.
The 31-year-old Benzel put together a round of one eagle, six birdies and just one bogey for a two-stroke lead over Pepe Cortez from Sahalee Country Club.
“I played really, really well,” Benzel said. “My game has shown signs of improvement all season. … I’ve been driving with a lot of confidence and I controlled my iron shots exceptionally well. I was just very comfortable.”
Benzel collected his eagle on the short, narrow, par-5 No. 7 hole, which was his 16th hole of the day after starting on No. 10. He hit a driver and 3-wood (“I just flushed that 3-wood,” he said) to 12 feet and rolled in the putt.
His only bogey came on the par-4 No. 1 hole when he missed the green to the left with his approach, hit “a poor chip” to 7 feet and missed the putt.
Benzel had a nice par save on the par-4 No. 4 hole. His tee shot ended up in the trees and he had to punch out, but he then landed his third shot on the green and dropped a 10-foot putt.
“I really only put myself in trouble that one time,” he said of the trees on No. 4. “And I gave myself multiple looks for birdies all day long. I even missed three or four very makeable birdie putts. I’m not mad, they just didn’t go in.”
Benzel has been a top contender at the Washington Open for several years. His best finish was in 2005, when he came in second at Kent’s Meridian Valley Country Club.
Heading into today’s second round, “I need to go out and play good again,” he said. “I have to try to keep the same focus and mindset that I had (Monday) and just go play golf.”
Three-time champion Jeff Coston, a teaching pro at Blaine’s Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club, is one of two players tied for third after opening with a 3-under 68.
David Phay of Oak Harbor’s Whidbey Golf and Country Club is one of five players tied for fifth after a 2-under 69.
Tom Sovay of Mukilteo, a teaching pro at The Golf Club at Redmond Ridge, is one of five players tied for 17th after an even-par 71.
The 54-hole tournament continues today and concludes with a final round on Wednesday.
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