🏌️ James Ruth produced one of the best rounds of his career to break the course record at @BowoodUK and take a seven-shot lead on day one of the English PGA Championship.
— The PGA (@ThePGA) July 18, 2023
Ruth beat the previous course record held by fellow PGA Professional @keogh1 by shooting 61 (11-under-par).… pic.twitter.com/iV900CHOoI
“It’s a tough golf course so to shoot 11-under-par is up there with one of the best rounds I’ve ever had,” said an elated Ruth. “I didn’t really miss a shot all day.
“I think I may have shot a 60 once in a PGA tournament, but this is a tough golf course so for me to shoot 61 round there is really pleasing.
“The course was playing pretty scoreable. It was quite soft conditions and it was pretty much target golf so if you could hit the ball well you could shoot a low score out there.
“I’ve been playing pretty good all year, I just haven’t been able to put it all together. I shot some really low scores towards the back end of last year. Today I holed a seven-foot putt for par and then I didn’t really miss a shot after that.”
“It’s a tough golf course so to shoot 11-under-par is up there with one of the best rounds I’ve ever had,” said an elated Ruth. “I didn’t really miss a shot all day.
“I think I may have shot a 60 once in a PGA tournament, but this is a tough golf course so for me to shoot 61 round there is really pleasing.
“The course was playing pretty scoreable. It was quite soft conditions and it was pretty much target golf so if you could hit the ball well you could shoot a low score out there.
“I’ve been playing pretty good all year, I just haven’t been able to put it all together. I shot some really low scores towards the back end of last year. Today I holed a seven-foot putt for par and then I didn’t really miss a shot after that.”
“It’s a tough golf course so to shoot 11-under-par is up there with one of the best rounds I’ve ever had,” said an elated Ruth. “I didn’t really miss a shot all day.
“I think I may have shot a 60 once in a PGA tournament, but this is a tough golf course so for me to shoot 61 round there is really pleasing.
“The course was playing pretty scoreable. It was quite soft conditions and it was pretty much target golf so if you could hit the ball well you could shoot a low score out there.
“I’ve been playing pretty good all year, I just haven’t been able to put it all together. I shot some really low scores towards the back end of last year. Today I holed a seven-foot putt for par and then I didn’t really miss a shot after that.”
Ruth’s rivals could be forgiven for thinking he may enter this year’s championship with the extra burden of being the man to beat as defending champion, but the 38-year-old, who represented Great Britain & Ireland at last year's PGA Cup, feels his experience eased any added pressure.
He added: “As defending champion you always feel a little bit nervous on the first tee, especially at one of the big events you play in, but I think you learn to deal with it over the years. I’m 38 now so I’m not getting any younger, but I’m a little more used to it now than others.
“The English PGA Championship is one of the biggest events we play in alongside the PGA Professional Championship and winning this event would mean a lot to me.”
Matthew Cort, winner of this event in 2018 at Saunton, and Ben Hall, are Ruth’s closest rivals seven shots back with both players finishing on four-under-par.
Cort approached the turn level par but holed four birdies on the back nine to finish on 68, while Hall finished on the same score after his impressive a bogey-free round.
CLICK HERE to view a full leaderboard from day one of the English PGA Championship at Bowood.
CLICK HERE to view our photo gallery from the Bowood.
Matthew Cort, winner of this event in 2018 at Saunton, and Ben Hall, are Ruth’s closest rivals seven shots back with both players finishing on four-under-par.
Cort approached the turn level par but holed four birdies on the back nine to finish on 68, while Hall finished on the same score after his impressive a bogey-free round.
CLICK HERE to view a full leaderboard from day one of the English PGA Championship at Bowood.
CLICK HERE to view our photo gallery from the Bowood.
Matthew Cort, winner of this event in 2018 at Saunton, and Ben Hall, are Ruth’s closest rivals seven shots back with both players finishing on four-under-par.
Cort approached the turn level par but holed four birdies on the back nine to finish on 68, while Hall finished on the same score after his impressive a bogey-free round.
