Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen fired a 7-under-par 65 on Friday and took a one-stroke lead after one round of the SAS Championship in Cary, N.C.
Australian Richard Green, who was in contention after two rounds last week at the Constellation Furyk & Friends, recorded another stellar opening round, coming in at 6-under 66 at Prestonwood Country Club.
Tag Ridings, who tied for ninth a week ago, is one stroke behind Green, while David Duval, Paul Goydos, Chad Campbell, Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson are in a group tied at 4-under 68.
Goosen, the South African who was known for his consistency on the PGA Tour, has carried that play over to the PGA Tour Champions circuit. The 57-year-old has nine top-10s in 2026 and won the Mitsubishi Electric Classic — his fifth tour title — in late April.
Goosen was two shots behind Goydos when he came to the par-5 17th hole. His second-shot approach from the center of the fairway landed on the front of the green and came to rest around 5 feet from the hole. He drained the eagle putt and birdied No. 18 to take the lead.
“I hit a lot of good iron shots today for a change,” Goosen said. “I’ve been hitting everything so far away from the hole, had no chances, and today I probably hit four, five shots within 5 feet. That makes it a little easier. And these greens are tricky, they’re very crusty and a breeze picked up a little bit. Yeah, overall very happy with the round.”
Goydos double-bogeyed the finishing hole.
Green made six birdies on the day and led the field in scrambling, rescuing all five chances with a solid chipping game.
But Green, along with the rest of the field, are expecting major weather changes over the weekend with rainy, windy conditions forecast for Saturday and chilly temperatures on tap for Sunday.
“I spent four weeks at home recently at the end of winter and it was pretty cold when I was practicing back there,” said Green. “I’ve got a bit of an idea of how it will feel with a few layers on. But it’s hard to believe, it’s so nice today and who knows what it’s going to be like tomorrow.”
Duval started with a bogey on the par-4 10th hole, but birdied four consecutive holes (Nos. 17 through 2) to jumpstart his round.
“A continuation of how I feel like I’ve been playing,” said Duval. “More than anything, the pieces fit together. I feel like I’ve been playing good golf. A few putts went in, which hasn’t been happening and makes all the difference.”
Defending champion Alex Cejka of Germany was tied for 28th after shooting a 1-under 71.
