Rocha takes the early lead in Bay Mills

A Canadian Professional Golf Tour news release:

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Rocha Starts Strong In Michigan

by Marty Henwood

August 25, 2005 -- BRIMLEY, Mich.--Brazilian Alex Rocha lit it up on the inbound nine Thursday to set the early tone at the Canadian Tour’s Bay Mills Open Players Championship.

The 27-year-old Brazilian posted a 6-under 66 at Wild Bluff Golf Club to take the overnight lead, one stroke in front of Toronto’s Cory Jones, Anders Hultman of Sweden and Californian Scott Gibson.

Three-time Canadian Tour champion Mike Grob and Scott McNeil of Calgary are in the clubhouse at minus-4.

This week marks the final chance for players to make a run for one of the top two spots on the Tour money list and an exemption into the second stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School later this fall. Americans Jaime Gomez and Peter Tomasulo, who sit one-two in earnings as play began in Michigan, each opened with a 73 Thursday.

Playing on the afternoon side of the draw, Rocha made the turn at even par before catching fire on the back side with a 6-under 30. The Brazilian birdied seven of nine holes on the back and had his run for eight in a row halted with a bogey on the par-4 14th, a hole Rocha admitted has caused him fits since the Tour first travelled to Michigan in 2002.

“I haven’t hit a good shot off that tee in four years here,” laughed Rocha, referring to number 14. “I can’t put a finger on what it is about that hole. I haven’t been able to get comfortable there at all. I’ll try to work on that tomorrow.”

It has been an up-and-down season for the two-time Brazilian amateur champion. While making eight of ten cuts with a pair of top ten showings, Rocha hasn’t been able to get into a groove.

That is, until Thursday. Rocha had the flat stick working and drained three birdie putts over 35 feet.

“That was awesome out there today, but it’s the first round,” he said. “Right now, I’m not thinking about anything else. What’s important to me is what happens at 7:40 tomorrow morning off the tenth tee. If I’m around Sunday afternoon, I’ll worry about that then.”

Playing in just his eighth Tour event of the season, Jones also hasn’t been able to maintain any type of consistency this summer. After making just three of seven cuts in 2005, Jones has yet to have a finish inside the top thirty.

“No, it hasn’t really been a year to remember,” admitted Jones. “I haven’t played that much, so it’s really tough to get into a rhythm. But anytime you have a chance at a 67 on this golf course, you take it.”

After taking a year off to recover from shoulder surgery, Gibson had a memorable return to the Tour ranks in the spring with a dominating nine-shot win at the season-opening event in Austin, Tex. Despite an appearance in the U.S. Open this summer, Gibson has yet to regain that touch and begins this week in eighth spot on the money list.

“Every single round you play, you should be learning something new and be feeding off that,” added Gibson. “Of course I wished I had played better for the rest of the year, but I have a chance to get two wins this season. If I can do that, I’d be ecstatic.”

Gibson made an alteration in his swing on the practice range earlier this week and the change paid off in the opening round. Needing just 27 putts for the day, Gibson also found 15 of 18 greens in regulation and birdied seven of eight holes beginning on the par-5 seventh.

“I fixed one little thing that was killing my swing (Wednesday),” said Gibson. “I felt like I had it. I didn’t even have to hit balls later in the day. I felt confident out there all day today and knew I could chase pins when I needed to.”

Jones, who has a top five finish in each of his first two years on the Canadian Tour, hopes he can maintain that pace Friday.

“It seems like I talk to you guys (media) once a year,” he laughed. “I always seem to have that one good week. But someone is going to play well every day here. I’m going to have to keep it up.”

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