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DUBLIN, Ohio (Reuters) - American journeyman Chris Riley made a mockery of his poor record at the Memorial tournament and his struggle for form this season by charging into a share of the lead in Thursday's opening round.
On a sun-splashed day at Muirfield Village Golf Club where Riley has missed the cut in his three previous starts, the 37-year-old fired a sizzling six-under-par 66.
He recorded eight birdies and two bogeys on the tree-lined layout to upstage some of the biggest names in the game, ending the day level with British world number six Rory McIlroy.
Riley, who claimed his only PGA Tour victory at the 2002 Reno-Tahoe Open, made the most of relatively calm conditions in the event hosted by Jack Nicklaus to soar to the top of the leaderboard.
"I really putted good," the slender American told reporters after totaling only 25 putts. "It was just one of those days where everything was going in the hole, and it felt pretty good to see that."
Riley was delighted to be back in the field at Memorial, having not played here since 2002.
UNEXPECTED RETURN
"It was very unexpected," said the American, who qualified for the event in the final exemption category by finishing 90th in last year's PGA Tour money list.
"I didn't even think I had a chance of getting in here this year ... so I was really excited. To be able to come back here is a pretty big deal," added Riley, who had not broken par in his previous six rounds at Muirfield Village.
Riley made an instant splash on the PGA Tour as a rookie in 1999, tying for seventh in his first start and playing like a seasoned campaigner for the next five years.
Since then, however, he has mainly struggled.
"I started off really hot when I came out here on tour and then I guess I got older and started thinking about what I was doing," said Riley, a medium-length hitter who has long been regarded as one of the best putters on the circuit.
"These guys are so good out here. If you don't play the best level of golf, then you're going to get blown away. It's been a struggle for me and I'm trying to climb out of a hole right now.
"But I played solid last year. This year I've made some cuts and I top-tenned in Hawaii, but it hasn't been that great."
Riley's best PGA Tour finish this year was a tie for ninth at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, his only top-10 in 13 starts.
(Editing by Julian Linden; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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On a sun-splashed day at Muirfield Village Golf Club where Riley has missed the cut in his three previous starts, the 37-year-old fired a sizzling six-under-par 66.
He recorded eight birdies and two bogeys on the tree-lined layout to upstage some of the biggest names in the game, ending the day level with British world number six Rory McIlroy.
Riley, who claimed his only PGA Tour victory at the 2002 Reno-Tahoe Open, made the most of relatively calm conditions in the event hosted by Jack Nicklaus to soar to the top of the leaderboard.
"I really putted good," the slender American told reporters after totaling only 25 putts. "It was just one of those days where everything was going in the hole, and it felt pretty good to see that."
Riley was delighted to be back in the field at Memorial, having not played here since 2002.
UNEXPECTED RETURN
"It was very unexpected," said the American, who qualified for the event in the final exemption category by finishing 90th in last year's PGA Tour money list.
"I didn't even think I had a chance of getting in here this year ... so I was really excited. To be able to come back here is a pretty big deal," added Riley, who had not broken par in his previous six rounds at Muirfield Village.
Riley made an instant splash on the PGA Tour as a rookie in 1999, tying for seventh in his first start and playing like a seasoned campaigner for the next five years.
Since then, however, he has mainly struggled.
"I started off really hot when I came out here on tour and then I guess I got older and started thinking about what I was doing," said Riley, a medium-length hitter who has long been regarded as one of the best putters on the circuit.
"These guys are so good out here. If you don't play the best level of golf, then you're going to get blown away. It's been a struggle for me and I'm trying to climb out of a hole right now.
"But I played solid last year. This year I've made some cuts and I top-tenned in Hawaii, but it hasn't been that great."
Riley's best PGA Tour finish this year was a tie for ninth at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, his only top-10 in 13 starts.
(Editing by Julian Linden; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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