Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, March 5, 2008 - Robert Allenby is again at the top of the leaderboards this year. No stranger to the Honda Classic, he is again at the top of the rankings at the end of the first round held in Palm Beach, Florida, with Erik Compton a close contender. Allenby, who lives just a few miles from Palm Beach Gardens has finished tied for fourth and fifth in the last two years that he has played in the PGA Nationals.
After missing a 2 and ½ footer, Allenby took nothing to chance and made a 6-inch shot with a 6-iron. His shot at a 4-under -66 catapulted him to the one stroke lead for the first round.
Compton, the other contender, underwent heart transplant surgery the year before for the second time. The South Florida native made a triple bogey on the second hole before birdying three straight holes and got under 1 when play was stopped in his second PGA tour event since the surgery. Compton is expected to return Friday morning.
Right at Allenby’s heels is former Cal star Charlie Wi, Jeff Overton, Angel Cabrera, Stewart Cink, Sergio Garcia and Will McKenzie. All were trailing behind Allenby by just one shot at the end of the day.